Devotional 3-14-12

Numbers 21: 4-9; Psalm 107: 17-22; Ephesians 2: 1-10; John 3: 14-21

These passages all refer to situations where the worst of the human character was exhibited. In Numbers, where the behavior is described most specifically, the familiar story is related of the Israelites’ impatience and complaints about the discomforts of their travels in the desert. Unfortunately, I can relate well to their feelings. They turn hostile toward Moses and God, and God punishes their ingratitude and disloyalty by sending poisonous serpents among them. When some of their numbers begin dying from the serpents’ bites, the Israelites stop their complaining, confess their sinfulness to Moses and beg him to seek God’s intervention, which he does. Moses was instructed to make an image of a serpent, place it atop a pole and tell the people to look at it if they were bitten, and this would save their lives. The pole, an image of what was killing the Israelites, also literally became a way to save their lives. It was a reminder that, though their actions led to punishment from God, in his mercy, he heard their cry for help and lovingly saved them from themselves (once again).

This story brought to mind for me the image of the cross and how it represents to us a way to save our lives. Though a symbol of the horrible and violent way God’s people rejected him, the cross is also a reminder that, through it all, God still loved us, forgave us, and by grace gave us the gift of everlasting life. May our meditations during Lent include reflection on this powerful symbol and how, because of it, we can live more fully. Glory be to God.

Mary Taylor