The snake in the wilderness, what?

I pride myself on my knowledge of the Scriptures. In fact, I believe that of the Spiritual Gifts distributed by God to Believers, teaching the Scriptures is the gift that God has given me. Man, am I cool and worthy, eh?

NOT!! Did you see that first sentence.... PRIDE? Where in the world did I ever get PRIDE and Scriptures in the same sentence?

I was rudely reminded of this anomaly this AM as Anne and I were having a short devotional before she jetted out of the door to work. She was the one that ensured we had that time together before the Lord after we both slept in a bit; Monday, after Thanksgiving, come on.... lol.

So, she pulls out the Bible and reads John 3:1-21... everyone knows that story, right? "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

Then down in the 14-15th verses we read this; "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." So, I (internally of course) get a little pious and ask her if she understands the 'snake in the desert' reference and she says, "Yes, when Moses was chased by the snake." Well, I get a bit more huffy and state, "No, Honey (with a slight smug snicker) it is when the Israelites are attacked by snakes in the desert and Moses ...." Anne begins to read from her Bible at Exodus 4,

"1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"

2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.

3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

5 "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."

I am, internally of course, astonished! That was not the story I remembered or was thinking of. Granted it was the same message; "Just as Moses lifted the snake in the desert, so must Jesus be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." But, I was being haughty and 'holier than though' about my knowledge of the Scriptures and I was, spiritually, smacked right-up-side-the-head and humbled on the spot.

OK, so you get the message; I was prideful. I accept that and ask forgiveness. But, the important message may be lost, to you.... Believe in God. Believe also in Christ. He is God and He has been sent to us to save us from ourselves that we might have real life, eternal life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.

Even to a prideful Believer like me. Wow!!

Love you all

Bill/Dad