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Lectionary Notes - Fourth Sunday in Lent
Readings for Fourth Sunday in Lent, 3/22/09:
Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10,
John 3:14-21
Numbers 21:4-9:
- I think this is one of the strangest passages in the
Bible. Making a serpent of bronze to fend off poisonous snakes seems strangely
idol-like to me, but God commands Moses to do this. And the snakes that are
biting people were sent by God to begin with! I really don't get it.
- The people are again complaining to Moses - why did you
take us from Egypt? They do this literally countless times. How do you think
Moses keeps the faith? Their complaining no doubt wears on him.
- How do we act like the people? Complaining about what
is new and reminiscing for the 'good old days'?
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22:
- Steadfast, according to dictionary.com
is "Firmly fixed or established; fast fixed; firm. 2. Not fickle or wavering;
constant; firm; resolute; unswerving; steady. God's love for us is constant
and unwavering. Take comfort!
- Verses 17-18 match up with our
text from Numbers today.
- Do you believe that God causes
our illnesses as a punishment from sin? That theology is certainly present in
the scriptures, and here in this Psalm. Jesus tried to lead people to a
different way of thinking, but even today, many associate sickness with
punishment. What do you think?
Ephesians 2:1-10:
- a typical flesh/spirit argument going on in the first verses. The fleshly
desires are bad and sinful. This argument seems so dismissive of the human
God-created physical selves and tangible, bodily experiences that we have? Is
it really so bad to be 'in the flesh'?
- God, rich in mercy. Jesus . . . immeasurable riches of his grace. Great
phrases. What kind of riches do you want?
- "by grace you have been saved." - This cannot be said
much more clearly. How are we saved? By grace! Not be what we do or don't do -
we'd never make it that way. Not even by how strong our faith is. We respond
in faith, but we're loved and saved by God's grace.
John 3:14-21:
- In verse 14, Jesus is referring to the passage we read in Numbers today.
The serpent that Moses lifted up prevented the people dying from the poisonous
snake bites. Jesus makes a parallel argument about his effect on people.
- :16 - Try this to look anew at the most famous verse of
the Bible - where it says "the world," insert your own name. "For God so loved
Beth that God gave his only Son . . .so that Beth who believes in him . . ."
Then trie it with the name of the person you like least. God so loved them
too!
- :17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to
condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."
This is an important verse, and I think it helps us ground verse :16, instead
of using verse :16 as an exclusive litmus test type verse. Not to condemn. To
save. I hear to many Christians in the condemning business. Less in the saving
business.
- :20 - what in your life would you not want exposed to
light?
Pastor’s Note: (I use the Greek-English
Lexicon from Liddell and Scott, the “little Liddell”
and the Metzger et. al Greek New Testament in my translation work.)
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