RBWords

     When the Israelites whined against God in the desert on one occasion, God sent some kind of snakes that bit them and caused some of them to die.  (cf. Numbers 21:4-9).  When they came to their senses and begged Moses to intercede, God told Moses to make some kind of bronze image of a snake, mount it on a pole, and lift it up so the people could see it.  Whoever looked at it in faith was healed.  (The medical profession would be familiar with the symbol!)  Jesus refers to this event in his response to Nicodemus, which forms the gospel scripture for today.  But it is the line that follows Jesus' statement that has become the famous line and is printed on banners at televised events:  JOHN 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."  Scripture scholars debate as to whether this line is a statement by Jesus or an editorial comment by the evangelist!  In any case, the words have become a kind of capsule statement of Christian faith!

     We should be careful not to divorce the two statements!  Jesus' reference to being "lifted up" means the way he would suffer.  The crucifix is a cross with a statue of Jesus' body on it!  The cross, in itself, obtains its meaning from what Jesus suffered.  Otherwise it is two pieces of wood.  God sent his "only Son" into the messy world of human sin and suffering - an ultimate act of "solidarity."  This act of love becomes symbolized in the crucifix.  Many churches in Lent will have a cross standing out front of the church, often draped in purple cloth.  This can serve as a reminder to us that the cross is not only the way in which Jesus suffered, but it is an invitation to lift it up ourselves!  If God has so loved us, we should also show the same ultimate love for one another!  AMEN