FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34: I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind.

II Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9: He learnt to obey and became the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel: John 12: 20-30: If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.

Jesus Approached as King: The Misunderstood Messiah, Jn 12:20-36

People misunderstand the Messiah. There are four misunderstandings in particular.

1.     Some Greeks representing the world, sought Jesus (v.20-22; cp.12:19)

a.     Jesus was accepted as king, 12:12f

b.    Some Greeks requested to see the king

2.     Misunderstanding one 1: His glory (23-26)

a.     His hour had come

1)    He had to die first

2)    He could then bear fruit or produce many seeds

b.    Man’s hour is come

1)    Man must lose his life to bear eternal life

2)    Man must serve and follow Jesus to be assured of Jesus’ presence and God’s honour

3.     Misunderstanding 2: His cause (27-30)

a.     His troubled heart

b.    His great cause

c.      His prayer

d.    The people’s conclusion

e.      God’s purpose: To His approval of Christ

4.     Misunderstanding 3: The world (31-33)

a.     It has to be judged

b.    It is ruled by an alien prince

c.      It is conquered by the cross

5.     Misunderstanding 4: The Messiah (the Light) 34-36)

a.     The people misunderstood the Messiah

b.    The claim: He is the Light (/the Messiah) the light is to be extinguished

c.      The need

1)    To walk in the light

2)    To believe in the light

Thought: The glory of Christ is the glory of the cross (Rom 14:9; Phil 2:8-11; Col 1:14, 18; Heb 1:8-9; 2:9; 1Pet 2:24-25; 3:18, 22; Is 53:12).