March 18, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for March 18th: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33 Theme: 5th Sunday of Lent Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah is speaking these words to a people who have been disconnected and taken away. They don’t understand why this is happening to them. And Jeremiah is saying that it has to do with their relationship with God. They had become lax in their covenant. The hope in their situation comes from the fact that God will have a new covenant with them. God will forget their former sin and love them in grace. They won’t have to worry about knowing the rules, because the rules will be written on their heart. It will affect how they live and how they relate to God. Jesus Christ is our new covenant with God. John: The ministry of Jesus lasts for 3 years in the book of John. This passage talks about the final time that Jesus has come to Jerusalem for the Passover. As he has come to town, so has other Jews from Greece. They want to talk and to learn from Jesus. Jesus tells them that this is his last time in Jerusalem. Now is the time for his destiny to be fulfilled. As he teaches, they hear a voice from heaven saying that Jesus will be glorified and everything that he is saying will make sense. Jesus says that when that happens , people will come forward and give their life to Christ. Jesus uses these words to prepare his followers for the events of Holy Week. Questions: How are the laws of God written on your heart? How is your relationship with God? Is there something that needs to change and be renewed? What do you do that lifts of the name of Jesus for others? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com