I pray that my understanding of Scripture has worth and value to share each week. Some weeks study, personal sense, and understanding produce little more than pungent questions, “What the heck does that mean? Who chose this collection of…of Divine inspiration?” The Hebrew testament places us in the desert hearing the chosen people whining. Although having fallen directly from Heaven, manna and quail did not please these hungry refugees long term. Not having a place to call home did not seem better than their living in Egyptian captivity. Moses and his G_d, in that column of cloud and fire, were responsible for their current misery, so they complained.

Their whining, like their cries for deliverance, was heard by G_d. Heard and annoying to G_d, he sent down snakes to bite the whiners. Being merciful to his people, G_d tells Moses to build a bronze snake, then put it on a pole for the whiners to see. If they look at the snake after being bitten, then they will not die. The chosen follow Moses, presumably continuing to get bitten, but keeping in view of the bronze snake, they did not die.

Fast forward fifteen hundred years to Jesus talking to the learned Nicodemus. This old man is still processing that Jesus just told him that he must be born again to see the Kingdom of G_d. Jesus then tells Nicodemus, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Jesus now becomes our serpent on a pole: Look to Jesus and you will not die. G_d had told the chosen people that he is the one true G_d, his followers must believe in him only, and that they should not make any graven images nor worship them. Centuries later Nicodemus, who had probably spent his whole life trying to figure out how a bronze snake was not an idol, now is mired in how to be “born again.” Nicodemus is rightly puzzled listening to Jesus, who obviously was heaven sent, Jesus, who calls himself the Son of G_d, and Jesus, who now also brings up that “snake on a pole” thing.

Fast forward again to the challenging, present time, yes there continue to be “whiners” and “snakes” that bite and endanger us, but be blessed to recall the many times in which, you have been witness to persons experiencing the grace of G_d, or in their work revealing His living presence. Experiencing Grace comes in many different ways. The tears, the joys, the life changing moments have happened. Sometimes it is in the simplest of things, as a child’s smile or stranger’s kind gesture. Other times, it can come in unexpected, deeply appreciated, profound ways, a loved one relieved of pain or illness, or a stranger rescued from a disaster. Whether simple or profound, in actions or in words, these are from the power of G_d’s amazing Grace. As we journey through this Lenten season, and all seasons, be blessed by your personal moments with the Divine.

While we live in a world filled with more consternation than simply wrestling with troublesome scriptures, we look to the One lifted up, the one who redeems us. We live with and in the One who has overcome the world, we live with and in the One, who will not leave us comfortless. We live with and in the One, who provides us with Grace upon Grace. The Creator is calling you to share the gifts that you have received. Be reminded each day, that as surely as the sadness of Good Friday gives way to the glory of Easter, this incredible gift from G_d, His Amazing Grace, is yours to receive, and while not always easy to understand, it is always your bounden duty and privilege to share. How sweet the sound!

Pax,
jbt