On this Third Weekend in Lent, we continue to lift up the Good News that God loves me, warts and all. Scriptures assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary remind us that God is always in charge, no matter where we are.
In EXODUS 17:1-7, we join with the Hebrews, recently enslaved but now in the parched desert, waiting directions to the Land of Milk and Honey. These people are so parched that they’re desperate for water, so they gripe to Moses, not rememberng how God had always delivered them. The Back to Egypt Committee seemed to have won the day–but God again comes through, leading Moses to where Fountains of Crystal Water will yet again heal the nascent nation. Where will you find water in the rocky ground on which you walk? Or has God already broken into your life?
ROMANS 5:1-11 has a treasure trove of worthwhile things, but we’ll deal mostly with the first five verses. Evidently “God’s love has been POURED into our hearts” in all our times of wandering and suffering. We are acceptable to God even though we are UNacceptable by worldly standards, even the Law/Torah. Through Christ, we have been made right with God.
JOHN 4:5-42 tells the remarkable story of Jesus, who on his way to Jerusalem, goes through the place where those awful Samaritans live (no good Jew would travel there, opting to make a large detour to avoid them). And there he accosts a WOMAN of all things in a conversation about Living Water. Turns out that this particular woman was a bit dodgy in her morals, as well. Why is this story important? Because it shows the universality of God, who cares for Everyone.
Even me. As we walk through the wilderness, parched and thirsty, we remember that an all-seeing God leads us on to the Promised Land. Shall we choose slavery or hope?
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Please join us at horacebrownking.com to explore the scripture lessons to be read on the upcoming weekend. Bring a friend!
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