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April 4, 2023

Holy Week

Joe E. Pennel Jr.   |   Read John 12:20-36

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Lectionary Week
April 3–9, 2023
Scripture Overview

Although we anticipate the celebration of Easter, this week’s readings remind us to slow down and walk through Holy Week. Monday’s passage in John has Jesus in Bethany in full knowledge that he would be betrayed. Tuesday’s Gospel concludes Jesus’ public ministry. The crowd does not understand now, but they will. On Wednesday Jesus tells the disciples that they do not know what he is doing, but later they will understand. On Thursday, the reading in John shows us that even when facing death, Jesus continues to model selfless love. Friday brings pain and rejection, but Sunday is the greatest day in human history. He is risen indeed!

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read John 12:1-11, 20-36. How is this story like the voice from heaven the people heard? What does it mean for us to walk in the light?
Read John 13:1-7, 21-32. Consider someone who has disappointed, hurt, or betrayed you whom God might be calling you to love. How could a posture of service help you act in a loving way even if you cannot feel affection for this person?
Read John 18:1–19:42. What new detail did you notice in rereading this long passage? Why might John have included that detail in the account?
Read Matthew 27:57-66. Sometimes all there is to do is sit with someone in their grief. Think of a time when someone’s presence has made a difference in your life.
Read John 20:1-18. The disciples saw and heard and believed. What has helped your belief?

Respond by posting a prayer.

John 12:20-36

20 Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human Oneto be glorified. 24 I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 “Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Jesus replied, “This voice wasn’t for my benefit but for yours. 31 Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. 32 When I am lifted upfrom the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” ( 33 He said this to show how he was going to die.) 34 The crowd responded, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?” 35 Jesus replied, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. 36 As long as you have the light, believe in the light so that you might become people whose lives are determined by the light.” After Jesus said these things, he went away and hid from them.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Several years ago, I was a student in a Master Gardener class. It was most helpful because there was so much that I needed to learn. In particular, the instructor stressed the importance of having the garden soil tested so that we would know how it needed to be treated....

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Creator God, help me worship, search the scriptures, pray, and practice deeds of mercy and kindness so that the soil of my life will bear the fruit of love. Amen.


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