Daily Prayer Sunday 22nd Marxh

John 3:14-22 (see here for reading: (http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=104749356)

Why is it that God tells Moses to create a bronze snake - which later gets destroyed because it becomes a source of idolatry?

What purpose does the snake fulfil? Is it that the Israelites needed to see something to put their faith in? They were unable to believe that God would act to help them so something visible helps this. This feels like superstition rather than faith.

Is this why God needed to send Jesus at all? Because even though the world and our souls cry out the reality of the Creator we will not simply accept Him and seek His Him.

This is the basic cause and manifestation of sin - a reluctance for us to face God. In the story of the garden the first response of self-aware humanity is to hide from God. And from that moment on God has been calling us to seek Him - yet we do so little. Why is this?

There is without doubt an ongoing battle for our attention - from the physical distractions of bodily drives to the material aspirations and the fun things we can fill our time with.

And we can develop a theology to suit our perspective. The God the giver of life wants us to get on with life and enjoy it - God the Hedonist stands by and enjoys His children's enjoyment.

Or God the Creator of the natural order understands the drives and in fact is responsible for them in our make-up, so as long as we remember Him from time to time all is well.

But are these ideas mere saps to enable a guilt free engagement with the the things that actually distract us from God?

Jesus clearly calls us to God - not to a God in the background to whom we offer thanks to a distant rich uncle and beneficiary, nor is God the ultimate model maker watching his toys with interest. No, we are called to God - to a deep relationship with Him. This relationship calls us to be changed and feel the draw of eternity.

Even in my sin, I feel this call, deeper and more joyous than the trivialities that draw me away. This is the purpose of the cross and resurrection. Jesus takes away our superstition and connects us through faith in what we cannot see but feel deep within. This is God's ultimate gift and our ultimate call.