Fourth Sunday in Lent

"Still Lost in the Wilderness? Here's How to Find Your Way."

As we continue our journey towards Easter, I invite you to join us as we wander through the wilderness. We find ourselves in a landscape of uncertainty, searching for direction and purpose. Today, let us delve into this imagery as we explore the theme of finding our way to eternal life.

An old tale speaks of a man who died and faced the angel Gabriel at heaven’s gates. The angel said, “Here’s how this works. You need a hundred points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you have done, and I will give a certain number of points for each of them. The more good there is in the work that you cite, the more points you will get for it. When you get to a hundred points, you get in.”

“Okay,” the man said, “I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart.”

Gabriel replied, “That’s wonderful. That’s worth three points.”

“Three points?” said the man incredulously. “Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my money and service.”

“Terrific!” said Gabriel, “that’s certainly worth a point.”

“One point?” said the man with his eyes beginning to show a bit of panic. “Well, how about this: I opened a shelter for the homeless in my city, and fed needy people by the hundreds during holidays.”

“Fantastic, that’s good for two more points,” said the angel.

“TWO POINTS!” cried the man in desperation. “At this rate the only way I will get to heaven is by the grace of God.”

“Come on in,” said Gabriel.

As we reflect on our journey through the wilderness of life, let’s turn our attention to an Old Testament reading. Just as the Israelites wandered in the desert, facing trials and temptations, so too do we find ourselves in the midst of challenges and uncertainties. But fear not, for God has provided us with a roadmap to navigate through the wilderness and find our way to eternal life.

Our journey continues with a reflection on the Israelites' experience in the wilderness, as recounted in Numbers 21:4-9. Like them, we may find ourselves in moments of doubt and despair, longing for relief from the burdens of life's trials and temptations.

The Selfish Look

Numbers 21:4–5 “They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!””

As we journey through life, it's easy to become consumed by selfish desires and worldly distractions. The Israelites, too, fell victim to this temptation. Their selfish look bred discouragement, complaining, and rebellion against God and His appointed leaders. When we focus solely on ourselves, we lose sight of God's plan for our lives and stray further from His path.

The Inward Look

Numbers 21:6–7 “Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.”

Even in the midst of our selfishness, God offers us a way out. Through His judgment, He brings us to an awareness of our sin and our need for redemption. Like the Israelites, we must turn inward, acknowledging our faults and seeking forgiveness. It is only through this inward reflection that we can recognize the remedy that God offers us.

The Upward Look

Numbers 21:8–9 “The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.”

When we lift our eyes upward, towards heaven, we find the source of our salvation. Through prayer, we commune with God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. We listen to His instructions and follow His commandments, knowing that His way leads to life everlasting. Just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent and were saved from death, so too must we look upon Jesus, who was lifted up on the cross for our sins.

So how do I get into heaven?

In our quest for meaning and purpose, we may have attempted to earn or merit eternal life through our own efforts. Yet, as we discover, such endeavors are fruitless. Eternal life cannot be attained through our works or achievements; it is a gift from God.

Jesus is the Source

1 John 5:11–12 “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Our hope lies not in our own abilities, but in Jesus Christ, who is the source of eternal life. This life is found in God's Son, and whoever has the Son has life.

It's a Gift

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Paul reinforces this truth, declaring that eternal life is indeed a gift from God, given to us freely through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is not something we can earn or deserve, but something graciously bestowed upon us.

How then do we receive this precious gift of eternal life?

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

How then do we receive this precious gift of eternal life? We need to believe in the Son, to place our faith and trust in Him. It is through faith that we receive the gift of eternal life, embracing it with grateful hearts.

Are you ready to Personally Commit?

John 12:25–26 “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

As we journey towards Easter, let us consider the personal commitment required of us as recipients of this gift. To follow Christ is to surrender our lives to Him, willingly laying aside our own desires and ambitions to serve Him faithfully.

Conclusion:

My dear friends, if you find yourself still lost in the wilderness of uncertainty and doubt, know that there is a way out. Know that there is hope. Turn away from selfish desires and turn inward, acknowledging your need for God's grace. Lift your eyes upward, towards heaven, and fix them upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In Him, you will find the way to eternal life, not through earning or merit, but through the gift of God's unending love.Eternal life is not something to be earned or merited, but a gift to be received with gratitude and faith. Look to Jesus, the source of life, and embrace His gift with open hearts.

May this Lenten season be a time of renewal and re-commitment. As we journey together towards the cross and the empty tomb. May we receive the gift of eternal life by faith, and may our lives be transformed by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Call to Worship (based on John 3:14-21)

Leader: Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

People: That whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Leader: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

People: So that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Leader: Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,

People: But in order that the world might be saved through him.

Leader: Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already,

People: Because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Leader: And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,

People: And people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

Leader: For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light,

People: So that their deeds may not be exposed.

Leader: But those who do what is true come to the light,

People: So that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

All: As we journey through this Lenten season, let us walk from darkness to light, embracing the truth of Christ's sacrifice and the boundless love of God, that we might live fully in the light of His grace and truth. Amen.

Opening Prayer (based on Ephesians 2:1-10)

Let us pray together,

Gracious and Loving God, who is rich in mercy, we come before You with hearts both heavy and hopeful, acknowledging our own frailties and the profound grace You have bestowed upon us. In Your kindness, You have brought us from death to life, from being ensnared by our transgressions to walking freely in the immeasurable riches of Your grace.

Lord, we confess that at times we have walked according to the course of this world, following the desires of our flesh and mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just like everyone else. Yet, You, in Your abundant mercy and great love with which You loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace, we have been saved, and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Today, we stand as Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which You prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Help us to walk in these good works, embracing the new life You have given us. Guide us to live out our faith with boldness and compassion, serving those around us in love and reflecting Your light in all we do.

We pray for those among us and around us who are struggling, facing trials and tribulations of many kinds. May they experience Your presence and peace in their lives, finding solace in the knowledge that they, too, are Your workmanship, created for a purpose. Open our eyes to see the opportunities You place before us to extend Your grace and love to others, to be instruments of Your peace and agents of reconciliation in a divided world.

As we gather here, renew our spirits and strengthen our resolve to live as citizens of Your kingdom, ambassadors of the good news of Jesus Christ. May our lives bear witness to the transformative power of Your grace, that in all things, You might be glorified.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray, Amen.