Daily Readings - Tue Sep 14 2021
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that intertwine to reveal God's enduring plan of salvation. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, marked by their discontent and rebellion against God. As a consequence, fiery serpents are sent upon them, leading to suffering and death. Moses intercedes, and God provides a remedy: a bronze serpent lifted high, which heals all who gaze upon it. This act of faith in God's provision is a poignant symbol of redemption.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus draws a parallel between the bronze serpent and himself. He explains that just as the serpent was lifted up to bring healing, he too must be lifted up on the cross. This act of sacrifice, driven by God's immense love, offers eternal life to all who believe. The connection between the two readings is clear: the bronze serpent is a prefiguration of Christ, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in God's plan.
In our daily lives, we often face struggles and hardships that may lead us to question God's presence. Yet, these moments invite us to reflect on our faith. Just as the Israelites found healing by looking upon the bronze serpent, we too can find salvation by turning our gaze to Christ. The cross, like the serpent, is a symbol of God's love and our redemption. Let us embrace this gift with gratitude and trust, remembering that true healing and eternal life are found in Christ.