Exegesis of the LectionaryStudying, expounding, and interpreting the Bible readings through the Church Year

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection & the LifeEzekiel 37:1–14; Romans 8:1–11; John 11:1–53;

John 11:17–27, 38–53; Psalm 130

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Ezekiel 37:1–14Romans 8:1–11John 11:1–45 (46–53)or John 11:17–27, 38–53 Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection & the Life The illness and death of Lazarus happened “that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus prompted His arrest and crucifixion, whereby He would die “for the nation” and gather “into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:51–52). As He called Lazarus from the tomb and commanded others to “unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:44), Jesus also calls us and releases us from the bondage of sin and death. We would not “submit to God’s law,” nor could we “please God” (Rom. 8:7–8), but “He condemned sin” in His own flesh, so “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Rom. 8:3–4). Now, through the Gospel, “the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells” in us (Rom. 8:11). His Word breathes His Spirit into our mortal flesh, animating us with His own life. As His ministers preach according to His divine command, the Lord Jesus calls us from the grave into the good land that He gives us (Ezek. 37:12, 14).

Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection & the Life

 

In our culture, though eternal life is chased after, resurrection is feared. What does new life mean for the Christian?

LSB 4301 My song is love unknown,My Savior’s love to me;Love to the loveless shown,That they might lovely be.O who am I, that for my sakeMy Lord should take, frail flesh and die?

2 Christ came from heaven's throneSalvation to bestow;But people scorned, and noneThe longed-for Christ would know:But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,Who at my need His life did spend.

3 Sometimes they strew His way,And His sweet praises sing;Resounding all the wayHosannas to their King:

Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,And for His death they thirst and cry.

4 They rise, and needs will haveMy dear Lord made away;A murderer they saved,The Prince of life they slay,Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,That He His foes from thence might free.

5 Here might I stay and sing,No story so divine;Never was love, dear King!Never was grief like Thine.This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praiseI all my days could gladly spend.

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for life.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Brief silence Lord of life, speak hope and life to the dry bones of Your people. You alone can raise us up from sin’s body of death. Renew what You have begun in us by the living waters of our Baptism, lead us by the voice of Your Word and nourish us by the food of this Holy Communion. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Lord of life, breathe in us Your Holy Spirit, that we may respond to Your Word and Sacraments with faith and walk in the way of Christ all the days of our lives… Lord of life, equip Your Church to speak boldly Your Word of rescue to the nations. Bless Matthew, our Synod president;

[_________, our district president; _________, our pastor(s);] and all pastors and church workers, that they may be faithful in their service and that their ministry might be fruitful for Your purpose…. Lord of life, extend Your blessing to the mission fields and partner churches who work with us for the sake of Your Kingdom throughout the world. Bless the work of the missionary and church planter here and everywhere. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Lord of life, rescue us from this world of death, violence, war and injustice. Raise up here and everywhere godly men and women to pursue peace and protect the weak. Bless [_________, our president; _________, our governor; _________, our mayor; and] all elected and appointed civil servants…

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for life.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

 Lord of life, bless all husbands and wives, parents and children. Make their homes places of blessing, faith and love. Lead them in the pursuit of that which is good, right, true and honorable, that in word and deed Your name may be glorified… Lord of life, comfort all who suffer illness, pain and want. Give to them healing, strength, relief and peace according to Your good and gracious will. [Remember especially _________ and all whom we name before You in our hearts.] & OTHER PETITIONS… Lord of life, accept the tithes and offerings we bring today as part of our worship and praise. Unite

us in faith and help us to live in harmony with one another through forgiveness, that what we receive in the Holy Supper of Christ’s body and blood we may keep faithfully all our lives. … Lord of life, You have promised that what we ask in faith, You will hear and answer for our good and the good of the Kingdom. Give us such faith, that we may pray with confidence and rejoice that Your good and gracious will is done in us, among us and through us… Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Group Time Meet w/teams

3-5 min per box

What are the major points of your text?

How does your topic fit the pericope theme?

How does it connect to the other texts? How is it unique?

Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection & the Life

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Valley of Dry Bones

37 The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley;it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones

came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”

Romans 8:1-11

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a

] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the

Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d]because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodiesbecause of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

John 11:1-53The Death of Lazarus11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany,the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friendLazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah,the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to

him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice,“Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”The Plot to Kill Jesus45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation,52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;2     Lord, hear my voice.Let your ears be attentive    to my cry for mercy.3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,    Lord, who could stand?4 But with you there is forgiveness,    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,    and in his word I put my hope.6 I wait for the Lord    more than watchmen wait

for the morning,    more than watchmen wait for the morning.7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD,    for with the LORD is unfailing love    and with him is full redemption.8 He himself will redeem Israel    from all their sins.

Next Week…Palm Sunday: Sunday of the Passion Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection & the Life

John 12:12–19 Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

Isaiah 50:4–9a Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Disobediance

Philippians 2:5–11 Imitating Christ’s Humility

(Matthew 26:1—27:66 Passion)

John 12:20–43 Jesus Predicts His Death

Psalm 118:19-29 Open for me the gates of the righteous;

Psalm 31:9-16 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress

 

John 12:12–19; Isaiah 50:4–9a; John 12:20–43; Philippians 2:5–11; Psalm

118:19-29; Psalm 31:9-16

John 12:12-19

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went

out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna![a]”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;

see, your king is coming,

seated on a donkey’s colt.”[c]

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was

glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and

that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb

and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people,

because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet

him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us

nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Isaiah 50:4-9

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning,

wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears;

I have not been rebellious,

I have not turned away.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,

I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint,

and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.

Who then will bring charges against me?

Let us face each other!

Who is my accuser?

Let him confront me!

9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.

Who will condemn me?

They will all wear out like a garment;

the moths will eat them up.

John 12:20-43

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the

festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a

request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell

Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it

remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone

who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world

will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I

am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this

hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify

your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an

angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time

for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32

And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33

He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will

remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who

is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while

longer. Walk while you have the light,before darkness overtakes you.

Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in

the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still

would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[b]

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their hearts,

so they can neither see with their eyes,

nor understand with their hearts,

nor turn—and I would heal them.”[c]

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But

because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for

fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise

more than praise from God.

Philippians 2:5-11

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ

Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own

advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 118:19-29

19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;

I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD

through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;

you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

23 the LORD has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 The LORD has done it this very day;

let us rejoice today and be glad.

25 LORD, save us!

LORD, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.

From the house of the LORD we bless you.[a]

27 The LORD is God,

and he has made his light shine on us.

With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession

up[b] to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;

you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 31:9-16

9 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress;

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

my soul and body with grief.

10 My life is consumed by anguish

and my years by groaning;

my strength fails because of my affliction,[a]

and my bones grow weak.

11 Because of all my enemies,

I am the utter contempt of my neighbors

and an object of dread to my closest friends—

those who see me on the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;

I have become like broken pottery.

13 For I hear many whispering,

“Terror on every side!”

They conspire against me

and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, LORD;

I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hands;

deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.