Series: Worth Dying For Title: Contested and Conquered Territory
Main Text: Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21
Supplemental Texts: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10
Summary:
We live in a contested world. During the days before the Civil War York County was a contested space with both the underground railroad operating and the slave catchers operating. There is a story of a group of slave catchers who pretended to be a part of the underground railroad and captured freedom seekers to enslave them again. In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites chose to see their world as miserable instead of a miracle. They were bitten by the snake of fear and pride, poisoned with anxiety, dread and contempt. But God provided healing in the desert, saving anyone who looked at the bronze snake that Moses lifted up. Jesus referenced this story in his conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 to show that once and for all, God offers healing, but not through a snake on a cross, but a savior on a cross. The way of the world is perishing, condemned and dark, but the way of God is abundant life, forgiven and light. Paul describes this well in Ephesians 2:1-10, saying that before Christ we were dead in our transgressions and sins, but because of God’s grace we are now alive in Christ to do good works with Him! As humans we have been given a choice: look to Christ and live a life of sacrifice for the benefit of others or look to ourselves and live a life of indulgence for the benefit of ourselves. What will we choose?
Read more about the Underground Railroad in York County in Scott Mingus Sr’s books “Guiding Lights: Underground Railroad Conductors in York County, PA” and “The Ground Swallowed Them Up” and use the power of google to find more!
Reflection Questions:
Begin by reading Psalm 107:1-3 and pausing for two minutes.
Begin by sharing a story of how you have seen God at work in the last week or month.
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Paul uses mercy, grace, love and kindness to describe the actions of God. What’s the difference between those words and why are each an essential ingredient in the life of a believer?
Read John 3:18-21 and Ephesians 2:1-5. How do these describe the “perishing life.” Think of your journey. In what ways has your life been perishing or hiding?
Read John 3:18-21 and Ephesians 2:4-10. How do these describe the everlasting or abundant life? Thinking again of your journey, which of those descriptions ring true in your life? Which do you want more of?
Is there an area of darkness that you need to step out of? What is one way you can do that this week?
Who do you know that’s living in the dark? Pray over them one of the truths that you have seen in this text.
Close in prayer.
Daily Reading
Monday: Hebrews 3:1-6
Tuesday: Numbers 20:1-13
Wednesday: John 8:12-20
Thursday: Hebrews 4:1-13
Friday: Psalm 51