Third Sunday in Lent, March 23, 2003

Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:7-14; Rom. 7:13-25; John 2:13-22

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” There are several references to the law of the Lord in today’s lessons. The word “law” often refers to the instruction of the Lord, especially as we have it in the Old Testament. Sometimes it refers to the first five books in the O.T., or it can refer to the Ten Commandments. The psalmist distinguishes between the law, the testimony and the precepts of the Lord. Here the law means “instruction;” “testimony” refers to what the Lord bears witness to as valid, and “precepts” are the application of the law to the details of life. The point is that not only has God revealed himself in nature but also, more helpfully, in speech itself, that is in the words of the Bible. “The heavens declare the glory of God … (the) day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” The Lord has spoken to us in nature, and in his written revelation. This is his “law” or instruction. However, we learn in Romans that God’s instruction has other important roles in our lives.

In Romans, we learn that God’s laws, which are “good,” nevertheless bring death to us. In this difficult and important passage, the apostle says that while God’s instruction or law is “good,” nevertheless it evokes and reveals in us an inability to keep its demands. I am not able to do the good the Lord commands, because there lives within me the “evil I do not want.” As the law reveals our rebellion, it also points us to God’s mercy, given in Christ, without which we only find condemnation in God’s sight.

The reading in John finds its foundation in the law of the Old Testament as well. However, as John and all the gospel writers demonstrate, the Old Testament points us to Christ. The temple was at the heart of the O.T. revelation. It was central to the revelation of God; yet the place and purpose of the temple found its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus whose life, given up to death on a cross, becomes the only sacrifice we need. Therefore, when Jesus speaks of the temple in John, he is referring to his body, the new temple, which was destroyed, and three days later was raised.

We have four wonderful and difficult lessons in today’s readings. However, at the end of our work there should be doxology, praising the Lord for his marvelous ways, and his penetrating word, which is “more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10).

Look It Up

What is the connection between Psalm 19:1 and 19:7?

Think About It

“Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk;) but is the fault and corruption of the very Nature of every man…” says Article 9 (BCP, p. 869.) Do we believe this? If we do, how do we communicate this to our churches?

Next Sunday

Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 30, 2003

2 Chron. 36:14-23; Psalm 122; Eph. 2:4-10; John 6:4-15