The Season of Lent always socks me between the eyes; or maybe it’s a 2×4 to the side of the head. As Jesus approaches the Cross, he audaciously asks me to join him! Not invites. Asks. As a professing Christian, perhaps a better word to me is DEMANDS. Of course I believe–when it’s convenient. I pray regularly, thinking simultaneously of my stamp-collecting. I attend worship, even though I can’t hear much of what’s happening–and so I drift. Again. Scripture for the upcoming weekend involves more angst for the would-be disciple….so it’s good for us to hear. Kinda like cod liver oil.
The story set out in Numbers 21:4-9 was probably better known to Jesus’ community than to us. Long story short, the desert wanderers were griping again; the Back to Egypt committee was in full bloom. Suddenly they were in the middle of a brood of poisonous vipers, and dying like flies. Moses made a brass serpent and put it on a long pole; anyone bitten could look at this talisman and be OK! So what? Firstly, to overcome our poisons we must look at them squarely. To be healed from Evil we must look at it and name it. Secondly, to some this is an allegory for the redemptive power of the Christ, who was “lifted up” on the Cross for the world to see and overcome the poison… I dislike snakes with a passion, and probably you do, too. As far back as Genesis, Evil has been personified by a serpent.
William Stringfellow has written, “Any viable ethic….must deal with human decision and action in relation to other creatures, notably the principalities and powers…” (FEASTING on the WORD, B 2:110) Deep stuff, and Paul’s (?) letter to the Ephesians (2:1-10) is fraught with peril. The author seems to be contrasting Adam’s Fall to the new redemption found in Christ: “God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…” This grace is not our own meritorius action, but purely the gift of God. Good news for those with one foot in the world and the other in heaven. I believe it; but can I give myself over to Christs completely??
And of course the familiar “rest of the story” about Zacheus’ nighttime visit to Jesus, John 3:14-21. Jesus appropriated the story of the bronze serpent in order to connect himself to the tradition of healing through the “hair of the dog that bit me”. Seeing Christ as the Son of God affirms that his mission here is to save, not condemn; and that there IS hope for the earth-bound all around us! The presence of God in symbolized as a searing light that penetrates even the shadows, helping the disciple to name the demons for what they are. Snakes and dragons aren’t as menacing when we can see them and hopefully identify them.
“Please, sir, draw me a sheep.” And so the Aviator obliged; but the sheep he drew had been swallowed by a serpent. Read to the end THE LITTLE PRINCE and think about the role of the Serpent in the entire allegory. So here we are in Lent. Peering through the mists of our subconscious and primal fear to see what really threatens us. Not that the light makes the tawdry and trite disappear; but it helps us to see and name the Serpent.
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Come with me every Tuesday to explore the Good News and demands of the lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend: at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com
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