5th Sunday in Lent
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
As Holy Week looms large, we receive the Jesus meant to be relatable to our struggles. “Now my soul is troubled,” confesses the Savior of the World. And troubled our souls might be. There are concerns about the climate, about wars raging across the globe, about the coming elections in divisive political environments, and about the balance between justice and security at our gates. There is anxiety over the future of our faith communities and over the role we play, or not, in God’s efforts to save all who believe. There is all that, and we are not even talking about personal worries or the possible feelings of inadequacy plaguing us. Yes, our souls may be troubled as well.
The prophet Jeremiah turns the tide of uncertainty to assure us of God’s promise for the ages. Regardless of the world’s shortcomings, God reaffirms the desire to be in relationship with us (31:33), to be revealed among us, and to forgive our trespasses (34). Furthermore, a new item is added to God’s wish list: to remember our sins no more.
The author Hebrews places Jesus as the High Priest from the order of Melchizedek – which means “king of righteousness” – who generously served Abraham for his dedication to God (Genesis 14:8) and understands our weaknesses by acting on our behalf (Heb. 4:14 – 5:2).
Out of absolute faith in God’s commitment to restore what seems broken beyond repair, the psalmist cries out:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.”
(Psalm 51:10-12, Evangelical Lutheran Worship).
Bridging Faith 