Daily Readings - Fri Sep 14 2018
First Reading - Numbers 21.4-9 or Philippians 2.6-11
Numbers
4And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.7Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.8And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Philippians
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of salvation, trust, and the profound love of God. In the first reading from Numbers, we hear the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, tired and discontent. They complain about their hardships and even speak against God and Moses, blaming them for their struggles. As a result, God sends fiery serpents to afflict the people. Recognizing their sin, the people repent and ask Moses to intercede for them. Moses prays, and God provides a remedy: a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole. Those who gaze upon it are healed. This story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s mercy and love are always available to us if we turn to Him with humble hearts.
In the Gospel, Jesus draws a connection between the bronze serpent and Himself. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert to save the people, Jesus will be lifted up on the cross for the salvation of the world. The famous words of John 3:16 remind us of the depth of God’s love: He gave His only Son so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life. This passage emphasizes that God’s plan is not one of judgment but of salvation. Jesus’ death on the cross is an act of love, a gift that heals the wounds of sin and restores us to relationship with God.
These readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Like the Israelites, we often face challenges and uncertainties in life. It’s easy to lose faith or grow impatient, but the bronze serpent and the cross remind us that God’s love is always at work, even when we can’t see it. Let us gaze upon the cross with the same faith as those who looked upon the bronze serpent, trusting that Jesus’ sacrifice brings us healing and eternal life. May we approach each day with gratitude for God’s love and with the courage to trust in His plan, even when the journey is difficult.