When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. (Heb 9:11-12 NIV)

In today’s gospel we perceive our Lord amidst his foes. His word doesn’t impress them. His glorious innocence wakes murderous hatred. This is so furious that they pick up stones to kill him, but his time had not yet come. He was not ordained to be stoned, but to be crucified. Therefore he hid himself and went through their angry midst – unscathed. We see our Lord not only in harms way, but amidst his burdensome suffering.

Our Epistle leads us into profound perceptions, that explain the death of Christ. He is decorated with all the honors of the high priest and we read of his entry into the perfect tabernacle by his own blood. That’s not just a commemoration of the suffering and death of Christ, but also a elaboration of the boundless efficacy with God and how it is brought to bear and made to count in heaven – obtaining eternal redemption! That’s the blessed result of his suffering here on earth – finally there on Golgotha, but also all the way to get there. He brings about the most blessed peace and eternal freedom in the faithful hearts and consciences. Finally the last verse proclaims how the faithful will enter via this powerful blood of Jesus into the very realms of heaven to receive their promised portion and inheritance. Those are the blessed fruits of Christ’s passion for us and our salvation. They are described to us so that we would behold the suffering, death and dying of our Lord all the more carefully and attentively, but would follow him in this suffering willingly and as he leads and guides us. Eyes and hearts are opened by his grace and mercy – and so we are motivated to move along in this intimate celebration and worship of the holy passion and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ – moving closer and closer to the glorious consummation on the cross.

O help Christ, you Son of God by your bitter suffering, to subject ourselves to you and all else avoiding. Help us to consider right Your death and its causes, henceforth though just weak and poor thanksgiving will offer + (Michael Weiße +1534)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Judica (5th Sunday in Lent). The hymn can be sung to the melody of “O hilf Christe Gottes Sohn...” Both are found on Pg. 145 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.