1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Warnings from Israel’s History
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.
Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Reflection
Note: A few days with the puny's!
Just because you are a Christian that believes that God saved you from sin, death and the devil; doesn't mean that you are free from suffering, or even that you won't encounter sin, death and the devil. It's not like some magical charm. We still live in a world full of sin, death and the devil. But we live as people saved. We live free to let God's Light shine in and through us as we suffer, as we live, as we proclaim the awesome power of God to a world of people living with us in this place and in this time. We are here for a purpose and that purpose is God's purpose, not our own. God has been gracious enough to place us in his eternal plan and purpose for all people through all time. What a wonderful opportunity! But it doesn't mean that it's easy. Just look at the life of Jesus. Was that easy?
Just as the Israelites were led through the Red Sea, we have been led through our baptismal waters to a life with God. Jesus has been the source of our blessing and support through all time. Today, Jesus comes to us and lives with us, he comes in the Word, he comes in the Sacraments and he comes to us through the bread and the wine and in the body and the blood. Jesus comes to us to save us and sustain us in this life and forevermore.
We are still tempted however by sin. We fall to sinful desires and lust of money, flesh, food and so many other desires that pull us away from God. None of us are exempt from this. We have all sinned and fall short. We need Jesus! We don't need to test God's patience and love in this way. We must repent and come to God. Acknowledge our sinfulness before God and one another. Don't test the love of God.
Once again recall the Israelites in the desert. Recall how they tested God's patience and love. See this as a warning. Read and study the Word of the Old Testament. See Jesus in God's faithful love to these stubborn people. Well, guess what? Count yourself as one of the stubborn. Count yourself as one of the people that test God's love.
But, also see the faithfulness of God. We experience testing and trials and God let's this happen, however, to the faithful, God promises salvation. God pulls us through and comes to us in the flesh and blood of Jesus and in the Spirit and love of the Holy Spirit. God our Father, comes to us and loves us to death. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Father, Son, Spirit, pull me through to you. Open wide your arms as I run to you. Help me in the trials of life. Help me through the temptation. I know that you tempt know one to sin. But I ask that you may come to me in the midst of temptation and save me from myself, sin, death and the devil. You are my God! You are my salvation! ... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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