Trinitys Lenten devotion for today. Monday, March 17, 2014 – RADD EHRMAN Numbers 21:4-9Hebrews 3:1-6 Focus verses: both readings At first glance it may appear that the two passages for today have little to do with each other. It seems to me that the connecting link is symbolism. In Numbers, God provides healing by having Moses construct a bronze serpent upon which those who have been bitten can look and be healed. God provides salvation by giving the afflicted a source to turn to in their distress and be made whole. Notice that the serpent is, so to speak, hung on a pole. How does this relate to Lent and Easter? A late colleague of mine, who was something of an authority on Medieval iconography, once told me that in much European art the crucified Jesus is portrayed in a sort of “s” shape, like a serpent, with the latent message that Christ is the brazen serpent raised on the pole; or, to put it another way, the brazen serpent foreshadows Jesus on the cross and to turn to him brings healing provided by God. To be healed, one had to look upon the crucified. The author of Hebrews, whoever that may have been, loves this kind of symbolism in which an article from Old Testament times represents something eternal in Christ. Moses, faithful servant, is the hired construction worker for the temple, “the house”. The various items used for worship, including the tabernacle itself, and the priests that serve there, have all sorts of prophetic significance for the salvific manifestation of God in Christ. But the tabernacle, made by human effort according to the instructions provided by God, is the transitory shadow of the permanent and everlasting temple. Its priests cannot offer eternal salvation, only temporary remission of sins, as indicated by the fact that sacrifices and prayers have to be offered constantly. Christ, the great high priest who was raised on a cross, provides everlasting salvation as both priest and sacrificial victim. In both accounts the message is this: God is the author of our healing and salvation. Dear Lord, We thank you that you have made yourself known to us through the prophets and through the atoning acts of Christ, your son. Grant us the wisdom and grace to turn to you always. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:21:44 +0000
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