Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace

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Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Hour Has Come

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 51:1–12; Hebrews 5:5–10; John 12:20–33; Helaman 5:68–71; Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a–b

Include a strip of paper in each bulletin, or ask a child or youth to hand each person a strip of paper as they enter the service. As part of the worship setting, display a large flowerpot of dirt with a trowel shovel and a basket of seed packets or plastic zipper bags with a few seeds in them.

Prelude

Welcome

Hymn of Praise: “When Morning Gilds the Skies” HS 35
OR “Jesus, Name above All Names” sing twice NS 25

Prayer for Peace

Call to Worship

Jeremiah 31:31–34

*Hymn: “My God, How Wonderful Thou Art” HS 193
OR “Santo, Santo, Santo” NS 43

*Invocation

*Response

Disciples’ Generous Response

Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ. Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a–b OR Helaman 5:68–71

Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes

Music Ministry: “Draw Thou My Soul, O Christ” HS 168
OR “The Love of God” HS 107

Present as a vocal solo, instrumental, or congregational hymn.

Spoken Word

Based on John 12:20–33 and/or Psalm 51:1–12

Lenten Confession

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:7–12

Meditation Music: “What Wondrous Love Is This” HS 216

Have a youth play meditation music on a musical instrument. As the music is played, ask the congregation to reflect on what sins separate them from God, writing them on their strip of paper.

Scripture Reading: John 12:24–25

Meditation Music: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” HS 262

Again have a youth play meditation music. As the music is played, invite the congregation to come forward and bury their strips of paper in the pot of dirt and take a seed packet as a reminder of the words of Jesus from John 12.

*Hymn: “Community of Joy, Proclaim the Living Christ!” R-16
OR “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus’ Name” HS 382

*Closing Prayer

*Response

*Postlude

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 51:1–12; Hebrews 5:5–10; John 12:20–33

Exploring the Scriptures

“The hour has come,” writes John, “for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23). This declaration is prompted by an inquiry of Greeks indirectly to Jesus through Philip and Andrew. It is also at the center of a debate. The writer of John undoubtedly sets the “Pharisees” in contrast to the inquiring “Greeks.” Those of the house of Israel reject Jesus, while outsiders (the nonelect) express curious interest in Jesus, according to John. It is the Gentiles who “wish to see Jesus” (12:21). It is to this inquiry that the declaration—“the hour has come”—is revealed. And what is revealed?—the death, resurrection, and exaltation to former glory of the one who “became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14; 11:4; 13:3; 17:1–5). The moment of disclosure had now come.

The “Greeks” (Gentiles) are a symbol. They represent for John the world seeking Jesus. That the hour has come means that Jesus now makes himself available to the world, to all, and not just to the Jews. His present ministry to persons in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria will become extended to all when the Son of Man is glorified. This yet-to-be-experienced presence is the dominant theme in the farewell discourses and Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John, chapters 14–17). This would be a very important understanding for the community to which John is writing. As a gentile community, they are separated from the historical Jesus by at least six decades. They needed to be assured that living in another geographic place and a different historic time did not remove them from the life-giving and saving work of Christ.

The availability of the merits of Christ for all believers everywhere required his death, according to this text. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it” (12:24–25). There is a dying to self and an embrace of his calling and mission on behalf of all. Note the affirmation: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (12:32). Jesus being lifted up on the cross in obedience will also be the cause of humanity being lifted into God’s embrace though his exaltation. John’s Christ does not writhe in agony. He does not struggle in desolate Gethsemane. John’s Christ does not even cry out! Rather, he embraces God’s will. A voice from heaven confirms his decision (12:28).

Central Ideas
  1. The congregation needs to hear the inquiry of the Greeks. They need to stand with the Greeks in desiring to see Jesus.
  2. John is writing to his historical community at the end of the first century. Those hearing the sermon need to hear John’s testimony as one borne to them in the twenty-first century as well—a community separated by almost two millennia, but not removed from the life-giving and saving work of Christ.
  3. Dying to self and embracing one’s calling is commended to each disciple who would follow Jesus. His obedience becomes ours by obediently following him.

Questions for the Speaker
  1. How is John’s presentation of Jesus Christ significantly different from that of the accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke? Note the significant difference in the Crucifixion and Resurrection accounts.
  2. How might the congregation hear John’s faithful narrative regarding the life-giving and saving work of Christ for them in the twenty-first century? Would they hear it in the same manner that the Johannine community would have heard it in their time?
  3. How might you communicate Christ’s vocation of drawing all people to himself on the cross of Calvary? What meaning might this have for a lively discipleship?

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