We stay with Moses in the 4th week of Lent as we consider the way in which the Israelites have broken their “covenant” with God as they rebel against God and Moses with ungrateful laments. The covenantal relationship between God and people is foundationally defined when we read, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.” So what happens when we decide we don’t like the direction God is leading us. What happens when we don’t like the way we are being “treated” by God? Perhaps we grumble a little in our impatience, “Why, O Lord?” We may even get angry and cry out with the Israelites in frustration, “How long, O Lord?” This passage gives us a lot to think about!
Before we move into our meditation, let us take a quick look at John 3:14-15 to see how the Gospel writer looked upon this passage and saw the love of God for humanity. And just 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 ... and 16a for God so loved the world. And still our passage challenges me. The serpent, a symbol of sin set on a pole, and simply looking upon it brought life to the Israelites? The cross, a symbol of salvation, brings life to all through the ages who have believed. Perhaps the greatest gift of grace is to be able to see past our sin in order to gaze upon the love of God in Christ.
Julian of Norwich, the 14th Century mystic relates her visual experiences of Jesus and puts it this way (in All Will Be Well: Based on the Classic Spirituality of Julian of Norwich, Chilson1995, updated 2008/paraphrased from Showings, also called Revelations of Divine Love)
“I did not see sin itself, for it has no real substance, it is not real; it can only be known by the suffering it causes, and even that pain lasts but a while. And during the woe we might take consolation in our Lord’s suffering. And out of his tender love, he consoles us, saying: True, sin caused this pain, but all will be well. In his voice, I never hear a hint of blame, and since we who are guilty are not blamed, why should we in turn blame God?”Why, indeed?
And now … I invite you to take a deep cleansing breath and spend a few moments centering yourself on God who loves you so much. Breathe and settle into a place of openness within yourself with a simple breath prayer. Use this one or create your own (six to eight syllables)
Breathe in ... Let me see past sin (pause)
Breath out ... to find love (pause)
and when you are ready to move deeper into the text ... Pray:
God of Love, you sent Jesus to help me know how much I am loved. Help me to see myself as you see me and to feel the love you have for me. Draw me closer to you as I read and meditate on your holy Word. Speak to me and give me a word for my life. Amen.
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| The Bronze Serpent, Scuplture/Statue above Mount Nebo, Jordan. Sculpture by Giovanni Fantoni. Photo by David Bjorgen. Used by permission under a Creative Common Share-Alike License. http://www.gbod.org |
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food." Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
Read this passage of the Israelites and the bronze serpent again slowly. Reflect on just a word or phrase that draws you into the passage … Sit with your selection and listen to the whispers of God ... Listen with the ears of your heart! Repeat your word or phrase over and over in your mind. Let the Lord your God speak ... Listen with the ears of your heart!
Where are you being invited to dwell for these few moments?
Read the passage again slowly and Respond to God. Once again turn your attention to your word or phrase, and know that you may be drawn to a different word on this reading. As you contemplate your word or phrase, how are you being called to respond, in word … prayer … action … in some other way?
Read the passage again and Rest. Allow God in Christ to draw you deeper into the communion of love that God has for you in the Holy Trinity: Creator, Word and Spirit. Let all the words fade away ... until you are ready to take up your journal and write about your meditation. When you are ready to move out of your meditation … Pray:
God of Moses, God in Christ, O Spirit Divine ... let me take your word deep into my heart and far out into my life. Let your love mold me and call me to be your beloved and help me love others the way you love me. Amen.
Cindy’s Journal Reflection … Look … Live … Look and Live! How tempted I am to dwell on my sin, the places where I fall short and now I find that is such a self-centered endeavor. What a subtle little difference! Help me O God to dwell on you, only you. Help me to know how much you love me … And help me to love others, not judging them but accepting them and loving them as you have accepted and loved me!
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