Monday, February 11, 2013
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
THE REASON FOR THE CROSS
Many times we as human beings will play the "what if" game when it comes to spiritual matters. What if Adam and Eve had not sinned? What if the devil had not rebelled against God? This can get us into a little bit of hot water if we over-think these things. It's better for us to look at the facts and study the cause and effect of events that have taken place -- as reported in the Scriptures.
When it comes to the bronze serpent being put up on its cross, the reason is quite clear. This happened because of the disobedience of the children of Israel. The Israelites complained against Moses, and in particular they complained about the Lord and the way in which He had chosen to take care of them. We are told that because of this disobedience the Lord sent fiery serpents that bit the people and killed them. This rebellion was the cause of the building of the bronze serpent. Without disobedience there would have been no need for the bronze serpent.
The same could be said of the lifting up of the Son of Man upon His cross. Here again the root cause was disobedience. You can go back to another serpent, Satan himself as he deceived and tempted our first parents in the garden. You can look in the mirror of God's Law and see your own disobedience and rebellion against God. Your sin is the cause for God's Son being nailed to the cross on Calvary. Just as Satan overcame from a tree, from a tree he would be overcome.
Lent is a season of penitence. It is such when we realize that the reason for the cross is us. There are consequences for our actions. There is no such thing as a victimless crime or a victimless sin because we humans are held accountable for every sin and rebellion against God. Whether it was intentional or unintentional doesn't really matter. Whether the sin is large or small in our eyes doesn't really matter either. Because of disobedience the Son of Man was lifted up in a similar fashion to the Bronze Serpent. He was held accountable in our place.
Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee
Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee,
O Thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst Thou my soul deliver
From the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 151:2)
