Note: (CL) = Controling Lesson (OT) = Old Testament (OTA) = Old Testament Alternative (NT) = New Testament (NTA) = New Testament Alternative (G) = Gospel (GA) = Gospel Alternative (Ps) = Psalm; one of these will follow all lessons for the week.

Note: Please be sure to look at previous posts because some of the week may have already been posted.


Friday, May 10, 2013

The Seventh Sunday of Easter (GA)


John 12:27-36
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

The Word of God comes to the world so that people can hear it. God does not send his Word into the World for himself. God does not do these things for selfish reasons. God does these things out of Love. God Loves you and sends you witnesses to his Love.

The people with Jesus hear a voice. This voice points them to Jesus Christ as the Glory of God. At Christ's Baptism they also hear a voice, God calling Jesus his Son. These people want to make up reasons for these voices, and reasons for what they say. They want to have explanations.

But what about listening to the voice. Zechariah saw visions and wrote them down for us to read, likewise many of the Prophets heard the voice of God and saw visions. Jesus reveals to them how he will be crucified, die and rise again. God tells them that he is going to glorify Jesus.

Jesus is glorified as he hangs on the cross. He is glorified as the perfect sacrifice for your sins. The Holy Spirit comes to open your ears so that you can hear what God is telling you. Listen God is calling. He is not calling for you to work harder or work out your salvation, but to proclaim what he has already done for you. Listen God is calling through the Word inviting, offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

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