"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
The hour is coming. We know not when, but it’s coming. This phrase stands out as Jesus gives instructions about how and when others will participate in the resurrection.
Jesus plainly tells them that the only way to receive eternal life and avoid condemnation was to believe in Him. He states those that believe in Him shall pass from death into eternal life. Jesus emphasizes the importance of His words saying "Verily, verily." Jesus' reference to the "hour is coming and now is" announces himself as the Messiah. Therefore, Jesus was telling them that He was the Messiah and His message was proclaiming salvation through belief in the Himself.
He says that those that hear shall live. Jesus is saying that all the spiritually dead hear the message of salvation, but those that hear and respond in faith are the ones who will be saved. His reference to life is not simply being physically alive, but being spiritually alive. There can be no real “life” apart from Jesus Christ.
This Third Sunday in Lent gives us an opportunity to ponder our salvation and belief that we will (when the hour comes) participate with Jesus in the resurrection. Our call today is to continue to trust and believe that God’s promises are true, and our intent to please God does in fact please God. Eternal life will be our eternal reward.
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