March 22, 2009
God so loved the world that He gave… a SNAKE ON A STICK and CHRIST ON THE CROSS… Look, believe, and LIVE.
In this week’s Scripture readings – we see two patterns emerge: first, we see the pattern of human rebellion and sin and the consequences we deserve because of them; and secondly, we see the powerful pattern of God’s unfailing love and Grace and the underserved consequences we receive from them. God so loved the world that He gave… a SNAKE ON A STICK and CHRIST ON THE CROSS… Look, believe, and LIVE.
In Numbers we see the pattern of rebellion and sin in God’s chosen people and the consequences they deserved because of them: “But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses…Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.” (vrs 5-6)
In their pain and suffering they acknowledged their sinfulness and cried out to the Lord: “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us” (vrs. 7).
The pattern of God’s love Grace is demonstrated with A SNAKE ON A STICK: “The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole” The undeserved consequence of God’s Grace? “Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” (Vrs 9)
Ephesians 2 shows us that we follow the Children of Israel’s same pattern of rebellion and deserve the same consequences. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath” (vrs 1 & 3).
But as with the Israelites God’s pattern of Love and Grace supersedes our pattern of sin and rebellion, “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, The underserved consequences of God’s Grace? “(He) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (vrs 4-5).
The pattern of God’s Grace and love is demonstrated to us by CHRIST ON THE CROSS: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-16
So how does this affect my life? “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43
As followers of Christ we must never forget WHO we are outside of God’s grace and remember WHOSE we are inside of His Grace. As long as we are in our sinful bodies and live in this sinful world where the evil one is lurking - we remain in that pattern of rebellion, sin, and consequences. But we can rest assured that God’s pattern of love and Grace in unfailing and more powerful than our pattern. As the Israelites acknowledged their sinfulness and looked to the SNAKE ON A STICK for deliverance, we too acknowledge our sinfulness, look to CHRIST ON THE CROSS, and receive forgiveness and salvation. By His Grace and with the power of His Spirit, we can LOOK, BELIEVE, AND LIVE – then join the psalmist and say: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)
God so loved the world that He gave… a SNAKE ON A STICK and CHRIST ON THE CROSS… Look, believe, and LIVE.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you loved us enough to give us your law to protect us here on earth and to give us Jesus to give us eternal life. Reveal Yourself and Your love to us in your law and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name AMEN
Church Season –
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Week ending: MARCH 22, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Nimbers 21:4-9
Look for the pattern of rebellion, repentance, and deliverance.
Tuesday – Psalm 107
Notice again the pattern of rebellion, repentance and deliverance AND God’s unfailing Love, then let it move you to PRAISE THE LORD
Wednesday –(Epistle)
Ephesians 2:1-10
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.. I once was dead but now I’m alive, through Christ Jesus – PRAISE THE LORD
Thursday – (Gospel)
John 3:14-21
GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD He gave Christ on a Cross that all who LOOK AND BELIEVE will LIVE - PRAISE GOD!!
Friday – REFLECT
Read Isaiah 30:15-22 Notice again our rebellious pattern AND God’s faithful forgiveness
Saturday – SHARE - Heed the advice of Psalm 107: 43 and contemplate God’s everlasting love and Grace – let it move you to repent and rest, be quiet and trust (Isaiah 30:15), and then respond with thanks and Praise (Psalm 107: 8,15,21,31). Share that praise with others
Sunday – Look to the Cross, believe and live
