Reading 1
Nm 21:4b-9
With their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,
where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!”
In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents,
which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said,
“We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you.
Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us.”
So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses,
“Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live.”
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole,
and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent
looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Reading II
Phil 2:6-11
Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel
Jn 3:13-17
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Meditation: Philippians 2:6-11
The Triumph of the Cross
Today is a day that testifies to the power of God’s infinite love for us. It is a day to celebrate the awesome fact that God spared nothing to save us, not even his only Son, to rescue us. So let’s lift up our hearts with songs of praise and gratitude as we ponder all that he has won for us.
When Jesus gave his life on the cross two thousand years ago, he ushered in a whole new life for all who would believe in him. His victory over sin and death was complete and definitive. He bore every sin—past, present, and future—and took every evil inclination of our hearts and nailed them to his cross. By his death, he defeated the power of Satan and destroyed death forever. He triumphed over the ways of the world that are opposed to God. He opened up heaven and poured out unlimited grace and mercy.
That’s all fine and good, as far as theology is concerned. But there is more to this day than bold statements of spiritual victory. This is a day to celebrate Jesus’ touch upon every person who believes in him. Let’s imagine what Jesus might say to each of us right now as we gaze upon his cross:
“My beloved child, heaven has been opened up for you. Because of my cross, you have been forgiven and cleansed of all sin. You are justified and made righteous. You are protected from Satan’s evil schemes. You have been rescued from darkness and the ungodly ways of the world, and you now have power to live a holy life on earth. Do you believe this, my child? Place your faith in me, and you will see my victory.”
Jesus’ triumph really is our triumph. So let’s tell him that we are sinners. Let’s tell him that we are grateful for his sacrifice for us. Let’s look to his cross and receive the life that he offers to us. May we surrender our hearts to Jesus, who loves us so deeply!
“Jesus, I rejoice in the power of your cross. You who are pure and holy took my sin upon yourself. Thank you, Lord! Today, I want to receive the life and power that flow from your cross. Come, Lord, and make me new!”
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38; John 3:13-17
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