Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - 5th Week of Lent - Tues
[Num 21:4-9 and John 8:21-30]"You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins...When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM...."
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016 TUESDAY IN THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
[Numbers 21:4-9 and John 8:21-30]
"You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins...When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM...."
The dispute between Jesus and his adversaries (or between later Christian preachers and those who would expel them from the synagogue) focuses on Jesus' identity. The words, "I AM," are sacred because they are the name of God that was revealed to Moses in the burning bush. [Exodus 3:14] In the conversation with Nicodemus in Chapter 3 Jesus says, "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." [John 3:14-15]. The first scripture for today from the Book of Numbers tells of that incident in which Moses fashions an image of a snake and puts it on a pole so that those being bitten by a plague of snakes could be healed. Today, Jesus refers to that incident and uses the words, "I AM," as well as the words "LIFTED UP" which refer to his crucifixion. Again, the entanglement of images and words can be daunting, but the effort to work through it will be rewarding.
What do we make of Jesus' statement: "I AM?" Is it too abstract or powerful? Next week, we will enter Holy Week in which we will see Jesus "lifted up" in the desert of our own lives. Is he the one whom God has sent? If so, what do we make of his death and resurrection. These are central truths of Christian faith. Today's gospel ends with these words: "'The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, becuase I always do what is pleasing to him.' Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him." Is that true of us? AMEN