The readings for the fifth Sunday in Lent are from Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4-14; and Luke 20:9-20.
Isaiah reports the Lord’s power in the forces of nature and against the forces of men; remember how the Red Sea made a path for God’s people but a grave for the Egyptian army? But now God turns our attention away from conflicts of the past to His re-creative work. God’s own Son will come, bringing the living water of His Word to everyone who lives in the wilderness of this corrupt world, even into the wilderness of our corrupt human nature and ruined lives. See John 4!
Paul explained to the Philippians how he was once the rabbi Saul who made war with those who followed Jesus and His Word through the apostles. The same Lord who led Israel out of Egypt met Saul on the road to Damascus, put him on the ground, and raised him up again, restoring him to life, baptized and now the apostle Paul. God has done a new thing. God has vented His just revenge on His own Son as our substitute. God’s Son endured all justice against us and rose from the dead to declare us redeemed. He has loved His enemies and His love works our redemption.
Luke records Jesus telling the parable of the tenants. We are tenants ourselves, if we care to admit it. Our life is a gift of God, our body a temple of the Holy Spirit, our time and place in this world is a stewardship from God. We don’t actually own anything. Thinking that we do only makes us antagonistic toward God and others; can you see yourself in Saul? God sent Moses, Isaiah, Paul, and His only beloved Son to the Israelites, who abused and rejected these servants of His Word. The Word of God incarnate, Jesus Christ, they cast out of their city and crucified. When a person rejects with contempt the Redeemer of their lives, they force their own way back under the law and God’s just vengeance will destroy them. Lent is a time for falling away from the corruption of Adam in our life, falling on the mercies of God, and experiencing this ever-new work of His: to raise us up anew in the image of Christ. God has confirmed this work of the living water of His Word and Spirit by bringing us through the waters of the sacrament of baptism.