The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:

First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Gospel Reading: John 3:14-21

The liturgical color for the day is: Purple

This old story from the book of Numbers is one of those stories that would probably be lost or glossed over were it not for Jesus’ reference to it in his conversation with Nicodemus, of John’s Gospel.  John places the story early on in the Gospel as almost a foreshadowing of that which is to come where we see a developing theology of the cross. 

As the story functions, it works in such a way that it’s role is to serve both as a source of memory and power, and also as a glimpse or sign of how the future will come about.

In Numbers, their memory was the issue.  They were not remembering.  All their memories and those of the “Go Back to Egypt Committee,” were about THEM.  They were not remembering God.  They were not remembering that it was God who not only delivered them from slavery, but it was God who made a sure and strong covenant with them, and that very God was delivering them to the Land of the Promise.

The poisonous serpents helped to re-direct their corporate memory.  From grumble murmur to remember that God is at hand.  From complain to remember that God is the one who is in covenant relationship with them.

That fact becomes the larger narrative of our living.  It becomes the backdrop for how we make our way in the world.  It is our story.  It is where the action is at.  From complain to remember—remember the power of God is alive and well in our living right now.

That IS our story.  We look to the cross and we remember.  We can rely on what happened there.  It is our story. 

It is the story of the God who remembers us, even and especially in and at that moment when we don’t think we are being remembered.  Oh, right then and there God continues to lay a claim on us and move mightily in our lives.

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk