A poisonous snake could save your life

Nope. Not some miracle cure. Not quack science turning poison into medicine. Did you catch the story of how the Israelites were complaining about God and Moses and so God sent poisonous serpents to bite and kill them? Oddly, complaining about God was not always a contemptible thing to do. Think Job. So why all the snakes? Moses was then instructed to fashion a bronze snake statue and have everyone look at it. Wow! They were saved.

Read on into the gospel of John and Jesus says he is like those snakes! He was sent into the world to save a condemned people. At least those who believed in Him. Everybody's favorite scripture, John 3:16, is predicated on this bit about snakes on a stick. So what do you make of this connection? Also, what would you say if those snakes were not really snakes but fiery winged seraphim?

Confused? This Sunday we'll try to sort it all out.

Lectionary scriptures this week are: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10.

Don't forget the personal care products drive is going on now.

Allen