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Our Gospel for this Sunday takes us back to a familiar story and an almost cliche' set of verses. (John 3:16-17)

The First Lesson tells the story of the time in the wilderness when the Isaraelites grumbled and didn't trust God's provision and so snakes came and bit them, and they died. Then they cried out to have the snakes taken away but instead a pole with a bronze snake was created. Anyone bit by a snake, if they looked upon the bronze serpent, they would not die.

Interesting to note that the snakes didn't go away, they remained.

Yet the cure was right there for all to see and be healed.

How does that apply to the cross?

Obviously we do not need to literally see Jesus on the cross now to be saved, or we are 2000 years too late!

Reread John 3:16-17 in light of the bronze serpent and the cross.

What is our role in God loving the world and giving Jesus?  In Jesus not coming to condemn, but to save?

How do we respond?

May we have faith that God loved the world and saved it through Jesus. And may we share that love and work to show the saving grace of God in our response to the world that God so loved!