Daily Scriptures:
Numbers 21:4-9 – The Bronze Snake
4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” 6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21
2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. 3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. 17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. 18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: 19 “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” 21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem
John 8:21-30
21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” 22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” 23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins.” 25 “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been claiming all along,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
Lenten Prayers:
Lord, help us to do your will
and become more faithful in serving you.
We find hope in knowing that someday
we will be lifted up to be with you for all eternity.
The “lifting up” of the image of a serpent
healed and protected the people during their
journey of deliverance from slavery.
In the book of John, the people asked Jesus, “Who are you?”
Some wanted to know Him – but many resisted knowing Him.
He tells them that they’ll really know Him
when he is “lifted up.”
The “lifting up” of Jesus on the cross paid the price
for our deliverance from sin and death.
Let us give Him thanks, from the bottom of our hearts.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7
Intercessions:
Praise to Christ, who has given us Himself as the bread of life.
Let us pray to Him, saying:
Jesus, you feed and heal our souls; please strengthen us.
Give us a clean heart to receive your word,
– that we may bring forth fruit in patience.
We confess, Lord, that we have sinned,
– wash us clean by your gift of salvation.
Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
Amen.
You have heard my complaints, my impatience.
Sometimes I find that I have moved away from you.
Please guide my heart back to you.
Help me to think beyond my ownwants and to desire only to do your will. Thank you for the many blessings in my life and for the many ways I feel your presence.
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