Dispute Over Who Jesus Is
NUMBERS 21:4-9; PSALM 102; JOHN 8:21-30
“Who are you?” This question is at the heart of today’s gospel. The hearers of Jesus could not understand his teaching and his identity. They were puzzled if he is the messiah or a prophet. But in answering the question, Jesus revealed both his identity and their identity. He says “you are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.” Thus, the question: “who are you?” Actually speaks about “who we are”. Beloved, Jesus wants us to be conformed to the patterns of heaven. If we are not spiritually minded we cannot understand who Jesus is.
Again, the first reading presents us with the story of the Bronze serpent. This story speaks of rebellion, punishment, intercession and forgiveness. The Israelite murmured and rebelled against God because of the challenges that came their way. We are often guilty of complaining when we face challenges; material or spiritual.
In intercession Moses asked the people to look up in order for them to be saved. God is merciful but to obtain mercy we must learn to look up; we must learn to be hopeful. If we look up then we shall be lifted up. The Israelites looked up to the bronze serpent and were saved. We too must look up to Jesus in order for us to be saved.
LET US PRAY
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, perseverance in obeying your will, that in our days the people dedicated to your service may grow in merit, grace and number. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
