Lent 4
First, we need a little background. The Book of Numbers tells the story of the people of Israel Egypt Israel
And complain, they do! The story follows a pattern. It begins with a complaint—in this case, they are tired of the food. Then God gets angry at the people complaining, and he responds accordingly. The people of Israel Israel
God seems to be learning as well, discovering what it means to care. Of course, in this learning experience, God has the advantage. After all, he’s the one who set the terms of the faith agreement. We read that Covenant today, the 10 Commandments. While some of the commandments are simple and straightforward—don’t kill anyone—others, like loving this one God, are a little harder to work out. Still, all of them together make up the agreement that tells us that God will be God, and his people will have to adjust or face the consequences, which just might be snakes.
Is this how we understand our relationship with God? Often I will hear or read of someone who is described as religious, even Christian. So often what is meant is someone who talks about God a lot, using words of judgment and condemnation. Whether it’s women who should stay silent, the poor who should just accept God’s will,or ignorant unbelievers, the message is clear: Obey, if you know what’s good for you. Disobey, and God might send snakes.
Oddly enough, it’s nonbelievers who object to such a God. You’ll hear that a lot too: “I just can’t believe in a God who would___________ (fill in the blank—send babies and Buddists to hell, appoint tsunamis to destroy Bangladesh, etc.).” It’s a protest: if this petty god is the only option, then I’d rather worship nothing at all. We believers are content with just this petty god?
If this is God as we understand him, this is not God as Jesus knows him. Jesus describes his ministry today in these (famous) words: God so loved the world. In the Gospel of John the word world is a code word for that part of Creation that has forgotten its creator. The Creation that is content with darkness, the world that has forgotten its purpose or direction—this is the world that God loves. Jesus’ point, and we should say it over and over, is that God is not our enemy. Jesus does not rescue us from our Creator.
Jesus brings God’s message of love, but let’s not stop here. Love is an overused term, all full of Hollywood happy endings and sentimental valentines. Don’t expect to hear choirs of angels singing pop love songs because Jesus has a deeper message to share, one about love in a world full of snakes.
See, we live in a world of snakes. Some of them, we must be honest, we bring upon ourselves. Other snakes, like the snakes of our economy, favoring the rich over the rest of us, snakes of circumstances, just surround us. Still others we inherited, like the strange family dynamics and dysfunctions we all enjoy. Others we just end up with—snakes bringing illnesses, and grief and pain. Wherever the snakes come from, they do bite, and we suffer their poison of bitterness and helplessness, anxieties and insecurities, violence and all the rest.
We live in a world of snakes, but we are not alone, because here in this world of snakes is the God who so loves this world. Somehow God who created the rules and seemed to have everything so stacked in his favor has changed the game. The God who wrote the rules has joined us in the obedience side, and this time he finds the rules are stacked against him. Jesus brings that message of love and life, but the cost is too great, the change too difficult, and he is met with violence and opposition. Jesus is lifted up, as he says euphemistically, and that is not a good thing. Jesus on the cross is a sign of rejection, a rejection and rebellion much worse than that of the Israelites complaining in the desert. But it isn’t just a sign of rejection. This cross is also a sign of grace. In the midst of snakes, there is life.
You’ll notice that the snakes aren’t gone, not in the desert experience, not in our lives. What we see is God’s love, but we need a new word. Let’s call it mercy—a good church word with no pop songs surrounding it. Mercy is God’s love.
So what does mercy look like? It’s not always easy to spot. Often we only recognize mercy later, after the snakes are gone. Mercy can be that friend who stayed around, even though you weren’t so nice. Mercy might be the coincidence, or the strength coming from somewhere beyond you that got you past the snakes. Mercy might even be the prayer that wasn’t answered, and now you are very glad it wasn’t.
But you might know the reality of mercy now—the support of friends or church, a strength of faith or experience of peace that tells you that this is not the end, that you are not alone.
Or too, we could experience mercy in our future—this may be the fullest meaning of salvation—because it is through our wounds that our healing comes. Compassion comes through experience—we can understand the mistakes others make because we’ve been there, too. We can forgive, we can assist. We can be agents of mercy.
So here’s what we want to share this week: stories of mercy—past, present, the mercy we offer others—where do we know the gift of this Gospel story in our lives? Let’s share what we know so we can all give thanks—we may live in a world of snakes, but we are not in it alone.
I almost forgot–here are the questions for these readings:
I almost forgot–here are the questions for these readings:
Lent 4
Instructions: You can use these questions—all, some, or none, as you seek to understand the scriptures. Each Sunday as you come to worship, you will have an opportunity to share your (written) insights, either by offering them symbolically, or writing them so others can read and benefit.
Numbers 21:4-9
1. This passage provides a serious challenge to our understanding of God, since it is God’s anger at the complaining people that brings the poisonous snakes into the camp. One explanation is that the lack of faith on the part of the people breaks the first commandment, and violates the covenant made on Sinai, thereby justifying God’s wrath. Does this context help us in seeing God’s mercy in the story? Do you believe that God punishes people?
2. A distinction is often made between mercy and righteousness (or justice), two attributes of God, with the understanding that one has to have the last word over the other. Can you think of ways that either of these attributes describes the way you see God active in the world? Which one wins? Do you think you have to choose?
3. Notice that even while God provides the instrument for healing, the poisonous snakes remain a threat. Can you imagine a parallel situation in your own life of healing found in the midst of difficulties or danger?
John 3:14-21
1. These words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life,” are the “John 3:16” so often seen on signs in the football stands. What do you think the people who hold these signs are trying to say? If a nonbeliever asked you to explain, what would you say?
2. Jesus is saying that his being “lifted up” on the cross will be a sign to inspire belief. Does the crucifixion define or explain anything to you about God’s presence in the world or in your life?
3. This passage makes a clear distinction between those who are saved and those who are condemned, based on deeds as well as faith. This is certainly a major theological issue in our world today. What is your understanding of salvation and/or damnation?