Death will not have the final word
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
April 3rd 2022 LENT 5
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Welcome to this online service of worship on the 5th Sunday of Lent. Thank you Rev. Shirley Cochrane for leading our worship today.
April’s Loonie Offering will be going to the Second Harvest Food Bank please check out the “Recent Posts” to the right of your screen to find out more.
CALL TO WORSHIP
God says to us: I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers flow in the desert.
The LORD does great things for us, and we rejoice.
God says to us: Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
The LORD does great things for us, and we rejoice.
God says to us: I am about to do a new thing.
The LORD does great things for us, and so we
worship God with songs of joy and prayers of thanksgiving.
HYMN 193 Out of my bondage sorrow and night
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come;
into thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to thee;
out of my sickness into thy health,
out of my want and into thy wealth,
out of my sin and into thyself, Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come;
into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,
out of life’s storms and into thy calm,
out of distress to jubilant psalm, Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come;
into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee;
out of myself to dwell in thy love,
out of despair into raptures above,
upward for aye on wings like a dove, Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb
, Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come;
into the joy and light of thy home,
Jesus, I come to thee;
out of the depths of ruin untold,
into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
ever thy glorious face to behold, Jesus, I come to thee.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
O God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all life, we come to you today with grateful hearts, cheered by the return of spring, days lengthening, the sun’s warmth growing stronger. We praise you for your creation and its reliable rhythms. We praise you, too, for Christ and his ministry that we seek to continue; we seek the light of the hope he offers. Break into these days of turmoil and uncertainty with the mercy and grace we meet in Jesus. By the power of your Spirit, lighten our hearts in this time of worship, and help us brighten the lives we touch this week in Jesus’ name. And so we praise you, O God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all life, and offer you all glory and honour, this day and every day, now and evermore. We come before you with our prayer of confession …..
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord Jesus Christ, we gather in your name today,
aware that you keep moving closer and closer to the cross.
We confess it is not easy to follow your story.
Your willingness to give yourself inspired some to give of themselves, while others hesitated or criticized.
We confess we often struggle to decide what to give, whom to help.
We can be critical of those in need and those who help them.
Forgive us when we look for reasons not to share,
and excuse ourselves from acting generously, as you did.
We come in Jesus name Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ –And Christ died for us; Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free by God’s generous grace.
THE PEACE
HYMN 682 Just as I am without one plea
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou biddest me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without
, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee I find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am , thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down.
Now to be thine. Yeah thine alone,
O Lamb of God , I come I come
Just as I am of that free love
The breadth, length , depth and height to prove
Here fro a season, then above,
O Lamb of God I come, I come.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of[ Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
John 12: 1–8
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
SERMON
Creator God, Speak again with the power of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures, read and interpreted, and transform our understanding so that our lives may more fully conform to your Living Word. Amen
Today’s story is truly the beginning of the end of a very intense week As we begin chapter 12, we come to the final week of our Lord’s earthly ministry. The crucifixion is barely days away.
The miracle of the raising of Lazarus is one which has not been read for some time. As it is the focus of chapter 11 it may not be so fresh in our mind,. However it is very fresh in the minds of those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus in Bethany, and who have come to trust in Jesus as a result.
It is also painfully fresh in the minds of the unbelieving Jewish religious leaders, who look upon the raising of Lazarus as the last straw. At the direction of Caiaphas, the High Priest , the Sanhedrin is called together, and the members are now unified in their resolve to kill Jesus.
The disciples are not at all eager to return to Bethany, knowing the dangers awaiting them there. Now, after the raising of Lazarus, things have become much more dangerous for Jesus, and for His followers
Only six days remain before the final chapter of Jesus’ life will begin. Six days before the Passover most likely refers to the preceding Saturday, which begins the Friday evening This meal we read about most likely takes place shortly after the end of the Sabbath – Saturday evening. The Triumphal Entry will take place the next day.
Mary and Martha are throwing a dinner party in Jesus’ honor. Considering what Jesus has recently done for their little family unit in raising a beloved brother back from the dead, you can understand why they maybe think Jesus is worth a little fuss!
The presence of Lazarus is a consistent reminder of death’s presence. His continuation within the story is a reminder of Jesus’ power over death, that death will not have the last word.
A simple act of Mary is the action around which the scene revolves. On the one hand, her act is very intimate. She brings an expensive jar of expensive perfume – breaks it and pours it onto Jesus Scandalously she loosens her hair and wipes Jesus’ feet with it . Only this Gospel depicts one of Jesus’s cherished friends as the anointer
Mary is not trying to attract attention, and it may be that she is hardly noticed until the smell of this fragrance drifts throughout the whole house. It is then that a most amazing and distressing thing occurs. The disciples are angered by her actions, and they lash out at Mary for “needlessly wasting” this precious ointment on Jesus
For those aware of Mary’s purpose—an act of burial preparation—even the pleasant-smelling oils would remind the senses that death was in the air.
Now the focus of the passage moves listeners beyond death into to the use of money and the poor. For Mary, the cost of the sacrifice is irrelevant. For Judas, symbolic actions should be cost-effective. These are all good reasons and understandable motives for he who is the treasurer of the group of disciples but the testimony of Scripture. tells us Judas within days, betrays Jesus, quite clearly, for the money.
John not only informs us that Judas is behind all this reaction, he also informs us as to why. Judas, John indicates, is a thief. Now here is a bit of information we find nowhere else in the New Testament; yet this one bit of information causes a lot of the other pieces to fall into place. A number of theories are offered as to why Judas would betray our Lord. Some say that he is (supposedly helpfully) trying to force our Lord’s hand, so that Jesus will get on with establishing the kingdom
However Judas realizes that the kind of “kingdom” he envisions isn’t going to happen. There is not going to be a great kingdom, with a huge budget, from which he can continue to pilfer his “commission.” Then, at this celebration dinner, Judas observes the loving act of Mary, pouring out the contents of her broken vial. He realizes how precious the substance is and mentally calculates its value. If this nard were sold – instead of being “squandered on Jesus”, it would mean a very tidy commission for Judas. He is angry. In his mind, a part of what she is “wasting” on Jesus is his. She has no right! She must be stopped!
Judas presents his case in a way that appeals to the higher motivations of his peers, and which masks his own greed. The perfume is worth a year’s wages. It could be sold, and the money given to the poor. It should be sold and the money given to the poor. A number of his fellow-disciples agree. They look upon Mary with anger and lash out at her. I can almost see her break down in tears as these men shame her for her selfless act of worship.
For Judas, it is an either/or scenario. Even if his remark is sincere—it takes the wrong approach to lived reality. Jesus does not intend to say “hey, don’t worry about the poor.” Rather, Jesus’ comment falls in line with the spirit of the Torah as in Deuteronomy 15:11 “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land’.” Jesus is not counseling the neglect of the poor.
Since poverty is everywhere, the narratives of that world do not need to discuss its presence. Listeners in this conversations would have simply assumed the presence of the disenfranchised among them. In fact, John 13:29 supports this assumption as it suggests the regular practice of Jesus, may have been for Judas to take monies to the poor – implying the group’s common practice. Nevertheless, this is not really a story about treatment of the poor but about preparation for death, –preparation for Jesus’ death.
What He calls to the attention of His disciples is that while there will be many opportunities to minister to the poor in the future, this is the only opportunity Mary will have to minister to Him in this way. His days left on this earth are very few. She will have no other opportunity to show her love to Him as she desires. And so Jesus argues that she has made the right choice. Mary is right; they are wrong.
Judas seems to have had every possible spiritual advantage. He was chosen to be one of the twelve by Jesus. For three years he traveled and lived as a disciple. Judas heard Jesus teach. preach and tell parables, he saw many healings and other miracles. He helped pass out food during the feeding of the 5000, he was there to see Jesus raise the dead and he was even in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm at sea.
Imagine what those three years must have been like. On the night of the Last Supper — there in the Upper Room, he is next to Jesus in the place of honor, and Jesus washes Judas’ feet as an expression of love
Doesn’t it make you wonder, how could Judas do such a thing, callously betray Jesus after all that he has seen and done? How could he be exposed to Jesus everyday, for all that time, hearing the incredible things Jesus said, seeing the amazing things Jesus did, how could he in the end, betray him? How could he be so unmoved, so little effect on him as to not respond with amazement and gratitude?
Judas has a choice. The text holds him responsible for his decision Theologians and artists love to speculate about Judas, and suggest justifiable motivations for his betrayal of Jesus.
Many commentators suggest that Judas became disenchanted with Jesus over time. He may have followed Jesus expecting to be on the ground floor, of the coming kingdom where he would rule with Jesus. But when he realizes that it isn’t going to happen, there will be no fame or fortune, he cuts his losses by taking the 30 pieces of silver.
Motive for this decision to betray has long fueled attempts to explain his character and reasons. If Judas signed on expecting Jesus to overthrow Roman tyranny, perhaps by having Jesus arrested, he hopes to force Jesus into a rebellion against Rome. Some suggest that Judas is tricked by the religious leaders, or maybe they threaten, forcing him to betray Jesus. Maybe Judas is afraid that if Jesus does in fact, cause a rebellion, then the Romans will kill anyone associated with Jesus.
By letting money and greed become his master, Judas made his relationship with Jesus a fraud; preventing openness and authenticity with his Lord. Increasingly untouched, unmoved by the love of Christ, money comes to mean more to Judas than his friendship with Jesus.
Mary & Judas could not see that same money more differently. To one, it is a way to touch and express love for God, — for the other, it is a cold hard barrier that keeps him from God. Do you see that it is not the money itself, but its the attitude of the heart that makes all the difference.?
How anxious and worried do you get over money? We are naive if we suppose that our attitude toward money and wealth doesn’t matter or that God will buy our phony excuses & justifications. Christians need to reflect on our attachment to finances. Our spiritual well being and our faith walk with God has a lot to do with our attitude toward wealth, and we will answer for how we have used God’s blessings
For what are we willing to sacrifice time, money, efforts? Do we place the struggles of people around us at the center of our attention?
Greed and the love of money can bring out the very worst in people; A corrupt love of money is a powerful and terrible motivator. Just think of what people driven by greed will do for money. Consider the impact of money on our political system, the pressure on politicians to make important decisions based on contributions. Or business leaders who go along with immoral & unethical decisions, driven by greed and a quest for higher profits. Or consider how once close and caring family members, will get shredded in battles over disputed inheritances. Or as if a divorce weren’t agonizing and brutal enough, the bloodbath of bitterness & greed that erupts when dividing the assets.
The material blessings – the rich abundance from our Lord, can either strengthen our faith walk and trust in God,- can be the means of serving, pleasing, glorifying God, – can be used to accomplish great things for God — or our wealth or lack of possessions can eat at our souls, consuming all that is of value within us, and thereby prevent our spiritual growth.
Our material things in this life, will either help or hinder, enrich or destroy — and our attitude toward money and possessions most clearly reflects our relationship with God.
With audacity, Psalm 126 dares to pray, weep, wail, and hope for a new kind of future—one that is emerging but not yet fully manifested. We all are flesh and blood human beings, who are weighed down by all manner of grief, pain, and loss. In some unique ways, the season of Lent brings those realities of failure, pain, and loss to the surface. Sometimes that pain and its sources are acute and readily identifiable. At other times, it is simply the persistent humming of our restless hearts longing to be home with God.1
Psalm 126 can be a reminder that suffering and joy are not mutually exclusive. It seems reasonable that “joy remembered” and “joy anticipated” yields “joy in the present.” In short, the recitation of Psalm 126 becomes a source of joy, or it at least puts us in touch with the source of enduring joy—that is, the God who “has done great things for us” and to whom we look for renewal.
Lent is a time to remember that death is always in the air. To die is part of what it means to be human. Time within a pandemic is an unfortunate daily reminder of our collective human frailty. When death strikes close to home, most folks are not fully prepared for the passing of loved ones. John 12 is a reminder that death will not have the final word. Lazarus is a reminder of that promise, even though his human body will die again. The ointment is a reminder of that promise. The people who gathered for another meal are a reminder of that promise. The prepared, anointed body of Jesus, of course, is the ultimate reminder of that promise.. During the season of Lent, we remember that death will not have the final word. We live our lives in the shadow of the cross, but we also live in the presence of the risen Christ. AMEN
HYMN 205 O love how deep how broad how high
O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
how passing thought and fantasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals’ sake.
For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore;
for us temptations sharp he knew,
for us the tempter overthrew.
For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought:
by words and signs and actions, thus
still seeking not himself, but us.
For us to wicked hands betrayed,
scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
he bore the shameful cross and death,
for us gave up his dying breath.
For us he rose from death again;
for us he went on high to reign;
for us he sent his Spirit here
to guide, to strengthen and to cheer.
All glory to our Lord and God
for love so deep, so high, so broad,
the Trinity whom we adore
forever and forevermore.
OFFERING
At the dinner party for Jesus in Bethany, Mary anointed Christ with expensive perfume, pouring out her love and devotion. Jesus accepted Mary’s gift gladly and graciously. Trust that Christ will never reject our gifts, offered with love and devotion, so let us present our offering with glad and generous hearts.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, even as Mary poured out her love for Jesus, he was preparing to pour out his life on the cross for her and for us all. We are grateful for such love, given and received, then given again. Accept the gifts we bring and anoint them with your Spirit so that they will flow into the world, refreshing others with your mercy and love.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
O God in whom we live and move and have our being, We come to you in prayer, trusting that you are with us in the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows of these challenging days. We give you thanks for every sign of your presence with us, for every unexpected kindness, every word of comfort or encouragement, every sign of courage in the face of injustice, every hopeful step towards reconciliation amid conflict, and healing in the face of disease or danger. Thank you for your presence with us in all things.
In this unpredictable world, we pray for those whose lives are caught up in reckless terror or planned oppression, and for those living in places where they are afraid to walk freely; we remember all who find the uncertainty of our times overwhelming and discouraging: May those living in fear courage to go on in your company.
As the stories of Jesus turn us toward the cross, O God, we pray for those who also walk the road of suffering. We remember before you those whose lives have been plunged into sorrow or despair through tragic death ,through critical illness or chronic pain. and through complicated problems that seem to have no end: we especially lift to you the people of Ukraine who are into the 6th week of bombardment from Russian military. We pray for all the ordinary folks in and from Ukraine , and the surrounding countries including Russians caught up in the fear and horror at the loss of life and possessions May all these folks know your comfort and compassion.
We pray for the people who gather and serve at the house churches in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, and we give thanks for their mission and ministry. We ask for blessings upon Shannon and Jon and Mark as his family as they shepherd your people there
O God, the stories of Jesus show us that he faced the clamour of many demands and the pressure of many critics. We pray for all those who are exhausted these days, juggling more demands and fewer resources in their work or at home, for those who cannot seem to get it right, whatever they do, and for all those facing unfair criticism and expectations in the responsibilities they bear on behalf of others.May all these be strengthened by your Spirit of justice and mercy.
Lord we lift to you the concerns of our hearts… our families, neighbours, community
We give thanks for the blessings and joys ….
We also present the silent pryaers of our hearts ……
O God, we need the embrace of your presence, each in our own way. Anoint us with your Spirit of healing and hope, and bring peace to our lives and this world you love for the sake of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN 677 My faith looks up to thee
My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine:
now hear me when I pray; take all my guilt away;
oh let me from this day be wholly thine.
May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart;
my zeal inspire;
as thou hast died for me, oh may my love to thee
pure, warm and changeless be, a living fire.
While life’s dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide;
bid darkness tum to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray from thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream, when death’s cold sullen stream
shall o’er me roll,
blest Saviour, then, in love, fear and distrust remove;
oh bear me safe above, a ransomed soul.
BENEDICTION
Go forth into the community sharing the blessings poured out upon you through the love and grace of our eternal God May the grace f God, the love of Jesus and the gifts of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always
CLOSING SONG