5TH WEEK OF LENT

To gather into one the dispersed children of God. 

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, when we will walk with our Lord through all the events of his passion and death. And today’s Gospel gives us a perfect lens for viewing those events. When Caiaphas, the high priest, told the Jewish leaders, “It is better for you that one man should die instead of the people,” he probably didn’t fully understand what he was saying (John 11:50). But John tells us that Caiaphas had prophesied: through his death, Jesus would “gather into one the dispersed children of God” (11:52). In hindsight, we see that this is exactly what Jesus was doing: he was gathering all people to his Father.

When he entered Jerusalem, Jesus gathered his people to celebrate God’s closeness and acclaim his kingship (John 12:12-19). In doing this, he foreshadowed the celebration of heaven, when he will gather people from every nation to worship before the throne of God (Revelation 7:9-17).

When he celebrated the Passover, Jesus gathered his disciples to wash their feet and offer them his Body and Blood (John 13:1-20; Matthew 26:26-28). Even more, he commanded them to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). He made a way to gather all his future disciples as well—even us! We can rejoice together at the Eucharist and proclaim Jesus’ death until he returns (1 Corinthians 11:26).

When Jesus accepted Pilate’s unjust condemnation (John 19:16), he gathered all sinners to himself. By offering himself on Calvary, he took upon himself every sin so that through him, every sinner can receive forgiveness (1 Peter 2:24; John 3:16).

Finally, when the risen Jesus forgave Peter’s betrayal, he reestablished him as the chief apostle, the one who would continue to gather believers in Jesus’ name (John 21:15-19). The Lord never stops gathering his people to himself!

As you enter Holy Week, remember that Jesus is gathering you in. He is bringing you home to his Father and to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Let him draw you close. Receive his mercy and forgiveness, and take your place in his family.

“Lord Jesus, gather me into your family.”

Ezekiel 37:21-28
(Psalm) Jeremiah 31:10-13
John 11:45-56