SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

The Word of the Gospel Opens the Eyes of Faith and Fixes Them on Christ Jesus

Genesis 12:1–9; Romans 4:1–8, 13–17; John 3:1–17; Psalm 121

Exegesis of the LectionaryStudying, expounding, and interpreting the Bible readings through the Church Year

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

 

Genesis 12:1–9

Romans 4:1–8, 13–17

John 3:1–17

 

The Word of the Gospel Opens the Eyes of Faith and Fixes Them on Christ Jesus

 The Lord called Abram (Abraham) to leave his home and go to a land that God would show him. He also promised to make of Abram “a great nation,” to bless him and make his name great, as a blessing to “all the families of the earth” (Gen. 12:2–3). “Abram went, as the Lord had told him” (Gen. 12:4), and in Canaan “he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord” (Gen. 12:8). He “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3). Here the grace of God is manifested, that He “justifies the ungodly” (Rom. 4:5), not by works of the Law, but through faith in His promises. He removes all our sins and lawless deeds through Jesus Christ, the Offspring of Abraham in whom all the Lord’s promises are realized. This forgiveness of sins is the Word of the Gospel, the voice of the Holy Spirit, which “gives life to the dead” (Rom. 4:17). It opens the eyes of faith to behold Christ Jesus, the Son of Man lifted up on the Cross, “that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14–15).

This week:

Led by Faith

 

•Share something in your life that was totally because of Jesus.

LSB 7081 Lord, Thee I love with all my heart;I pray Thee, ne'er from me depart,With tender mercy cheer me.Earth has no pleasure I would share,Yea, heav'n itself were void and bareIf Thou, Lord, were not near me.And should my heart for sorrow break,My trust in Thee no one could shake.Thou art the portion I have sought;Thy precious blood my soul has bought.Lord Jesus Christ, My God and Lord, my God and Lord,Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.

2 Yea, Lord, 'twas Thy rich bounty gaveMy body, soul, and all I haveIn this poor life of labor.Lord, grant that I in ev'ry placeMay glorify Thy lavish graceAnd help and serve my neighbor.Let no false doctrine me beguile;And Satan not my soul defile.

Give strength and patience unto meTo bear my cross and follow Thee.Lord Jesus Christ, My God and Lord, my God and Lord,In death Thy comfort still afford.

3 Lord, let at last Thine angels come,To Abram's bosom bear me home,That I may die unfearing;And in its narrow chamber keepMy body safe in peaceful sleepUntil Thy reappearing.And then from death awaken meThat these mine eyes with joy may see,O Son of God, Thy glorious face,My Savior and my fount of grace,Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend,And I will praise Thee without end.

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray that we fix our

eyes on Christ. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the Church, that the baptized may be renewed in the faith of Abraham, trusting the promises of Him who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist by His all-powerful Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all pastors and teachers of the Church, that throughout the length and breadth of the world the One who came to be a blessing to every family of the earth would be proclaimed faithfully and welcomed with joy….

 For an increase in the vocation of the holy ministry, that the Lord would raise up men to proclaim His Word and administer His Sacraments to the joy and edification of His congregations… For a renewal of our parishes, that they would become centers of outreach, shining the light of God’s love through their witness, mercy and life together… For those who labor in foreign mission fields, that God would protect them by His holy angels and strengthen their witness to His Son…

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray that we fix our

eyes on Christ. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

For all the schools of the Church, her day cares, preschools, day schools, high schools, colleges and seminaries, that they may form students who will serve the Lord’s purposes in this generation… For the suffering, the afflicted, the captives, the lonely, the poor and those who have asked for our prayers [especially ___________], that the Holy Spirit would bring to each His comfort, peace and joy… For all who receive the Savior’s body and blood in the Holy Eucharist today, that God would preserve them in

repentance and saving faith, and that through this holy meal He would strengthen their witness to His love in their daily callings…. For all who have departed this life in the faith of Christ’s victory over death and the grave [especially __________], let us offer thanks and praise, asking God to grant us a share in their heavenly fellowship and bring us with them to the joys of His unending feast… Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Meet w/teams3-5 min per box

What are the major points of your text? How does your topic fit the pericope

theme? How does it connect to the other texts?

How is it unique?

Group Time The Word of the Gospel Opens the Eyes of Faith and Fixes Them on Christ Jesus

Genesis 12:1-9The Call of Abram12 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.2 “I will make you into a great nation,    and I will bless you;I will make your name great,    and you will be a blessing.[a]

3 I will bless those who bless you,    and whoever curses you I will curse;and all peoples on earth    will be blessed through you.”[b]

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai,his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had

accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaaniteswere in the land. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring[c] I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

Romans 4:1-8Abraham Justified by Faith4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a]

4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:7 “Blessed are those    whose transgressions are forgiven,    whose sins are covered.8 Blessed is the one    whose sin the Lord will never count

against them.”[b]

Romans 4:13-1713 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a

] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

John 3:1-17Jesus Teaches Nicodemus3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or

where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus,“and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone into heavenexcept the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f]15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[g]

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Psalm 121A song of ascents.1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—    where does my help come from?2 My help comes from the LORD,    the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip—    he who watches over you will not slumber;4 indeed, he who watches over Israel    will neither slumber nor sleep.5 The LORD watches over you—

    the LORD is your shade at your right hand;6 the sun will not harm you by day,    nor the moon by night.7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—    he will watch over your life;8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going    both now and forevermore. 

Third Sunday in Lent: We Worship the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit and Truth of His Gospel

Exodus 17:1–7Romans 5:1–8John 4:5–30, 39–42)or John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-39Psalm 95:1-9 O come, let us

sing unto the Lord

Next Week…

Exodus 17:1-7

Water from the Rock

17 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the placeMassah[a

] and Meribah,[b] because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” Romans 5:1-8

Peace with God Through Faith

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but werejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—8 but God shows his love for us in thatwhile we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 4:5-30

5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.[a] 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give

me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 butwhoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[b]The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you area prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped onthis mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her,“Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.22 You worship what you do not know;we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know thatMessiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

John 4:39-42

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 9:1-7

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

9 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his

disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him,“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. John 9:13-17

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is notfrom God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” Andthere was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

John 9:34-39

34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”[a] 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Psalm 121

My Help Comes from the LORD

A Song of Ascents.

121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.    From where does my help come?2 My help comes from the LORD,

    who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved;

    he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper;

    the LORD is your shade on yourright hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

    nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;

    he will keep your life.

8 The LORD will keep

    your going out and your coming in

    from this time forth and forevermore.