I have never understood this passage.
Why the snakes? Why would God send them?
And what’s with the staff? It feels a lot more like magic than the sort of ways that God works. “Look at my magic snake stick, and be healed!”
What?
But as we’re nearer to Holy Week, maybe it’s good to admit we don’t always understand everything. Jesus is about to do a lot of amazing, important, but sometimes very confusing things. I’m sure the disciples didn’t always understand what was going on.
But they followed him anyway. Mostly. And even when they didn’t they found grace. They came back. They were restored. And then they walked forward with Jesus.
Maybe that’s the good news for Christians today who have turned to follow snakes in the grass instead of Jesus. Maybe as we move toward Holy Week, it’s important for us to remember that even in our rebellion, God has provided a way forward.
The question is, will we turn to Jesus, even when it doesn’t make sense? Will we follow the way of the kingdom, even though it’s confusing?
Because oftentimes God’s salvation comes in odd and perplexing ways.
Like snakes on a pole. Or a king on a cross.
Our prayer for today
God, sometimes you call us to things that are confusing.
Sometimes your way of salvation doesn’t make much sense at all.
Give us the assurance that you will walk with us, even when we’re scratching our heads, so that your grace will work out you love in our lives.
Amen