Pilot Knob Lutheran The Healing Snake 2/8/2023
Last week we looked at an epidemic of snake bites leaving many to die a slow and painful death. The Hebrews cried out to Moses for God to stop them, but He did not, instead He instructed Moses to do something. He was instructed to set up a pole, fashion a brass serpent and place it on the pole. The only thing required was for those who had gotten the sting of death were to look at it for the venom’s antidote. That’s it, look at the bronze snake on a pole and live! God was gracious by providing a simple physical healing and salvation from certain death. The only requirement was obedience to God’s word. Simple, right? I wonder how many obeyed. Perhaps some thought it was a joke or too simple. How would looking at a brass snake do anything?
In order to look at it, they would first have to look away from all the real and present danger of the living slithering snakes in the shrubs. Also, to look at the brass snake and live they would have to have faith that looking at it on a pole would save them.
Like the Hebrews, we’ve all been stung with the “sting of death.” 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. It all began in a peaceful and pleasant garden when Eve came across a serpent manipulated by Satan who asked a simple question: Did God really say. . .? His question was meant to drive a wedge between Eve, God, and Adam. It was the first lie she ever heard and the first suggestion that God’s word was fallible and withholding something good from them. In time Eve gave into a lie that changed the course of life on earth and the stability of the heavens.
After Adam obeyed his wife and disobeyed God, entering stage left was sin, sickness, disease, suffering and death, both physical and spiritual. Fortunately, that’s not the end of the story: Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This is fulfilled in Luke 2:11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. More next week.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today, 8, 4:30 confirmation.
February 12, 9:00 AM Morning worship. Sermon: Only Two Choices
10:15 No Sunday school. Annual meeting.
2:00 GriefShare. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this, encourage them to attend.
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Sermons may be heard on KIOW 107.3 FM Sunday mornings at 7:00. Spread the word. If you would like to support this outreach with a contribution, it costs $55 each week.
