March 22, 2026
Fifth Sunday in Lent
_______________________________
Hebrews 9:12 – “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
The only price that could redeem us was the very blood of the Christ. This is the only sacrifice of true worth.
His sacrificial giving sets the pattern for our life, for how can we who are redeemed by the self-giving of God not also give of ourselves to His kingdom?
LCMS Stewardship Bulletin Sentences
Quick Links
Online Worship / Discipleship Classes
Learn By Heart / Taking Faith Home
Online giving continues to be an easy way for many to give. The giving link is located just above this message. You also can use the mobile app, “VANCO MOBILE.”
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Ezekiel 37:1–14; Romans 8:1–11; John 11:1–45 (46–53) or John 11:17–27, 38–53
Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection and the Life
The illness and death of Lazarus happened “that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus prompted His arrest and crucifixion, whereby He would die “for the nation” and gather “into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:51–52).
As He called Lazarus from the tomb and commanded others to “unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:44), Jesus also calls us and releases us from the bondage of sin and death. We would not “submit to God’s law,” nor could we “please God” (Romans 8:7–8), but “he condemned sin” in His own flesh so “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:3–4).
Now through the Gospel, “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells” in us (Romans 8:11). His Word breathes His Spirit into our mortal flesh, animating us with His own life. As His ministers preach according to His divine command, the Lord Jesus calls us from the grave into the good land that He gives us (Ezekiel. 37:12, 1).
___________________________________________________
Life Thoughts for the Week
Fifth Sunday in Lent - Jesus is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), the one true God who raises the dead from their graves and gives them new life (Ezekiel 37:5-6).
Everything Jesus has said and done testifies that He gives, sustains, and loves life. It is inconceivable to think that Jesus, who raised Lazarus from the tomb and who died to “give life to our mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11), would approve of the murder of any innocent person, regardless of their size or condition.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lectionary Series – Sunday’s Scripture Readings © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295 800-248-1930, Ext. 1265 • worship@lcms.org • lcms.org/worship. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Usage: These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. Published by LCMS Worship.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________