3rd Sunday in Lent
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
The readings on this third Sunday bring one word to mind: resilience. In John, after Jesus’ displeasure with whatever was taking place on temple grounds, he is asked for a sign. That is, some proof that he has the authority to turn the tables as he is doing. This challenge elicits Jesus’s standoffish response, ““Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” As we approach the halfway point of this Lenten season, we are reminded somewhat of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The grass withers; the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (40:8).”
To the bystanders, Jesus’ statement may have been received as foolishness. Will he alone be capable of rebuilding in a few days what was taking place more than 4 decades to finish? Many may have found the way to the cross unwise, even after the empty tomb. So much so that Paul felt he needed to set the infant church in Corinth straight. “Christ [crucified] the power of God and the wisdom of God (1:24).”
Few things have been more resilient to God’s people than the “Ten Commandments” or “God’s Ten Words.” No wonder we refer to things settled for eternity as “written in stone.” God chose rocks as the foundation for the divine instructions that save us from death and lead us to life.
The Psalmist sings: “The teaching of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.” (Psalm 19; Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
Bridging Faith 