(L)There...
Illustration
(L)
There are two levels to this story. One level speaks of a kind of totempole magic. Here is the image of a magic stick with a ready cure for a snake bite. On another level, the people who are bitten suddenly want to be saved. In order to do something about that, they have learned to obey the instruction commanded by Moses. On this level the main focus is on obedience to the Word of God who promises to save. The people were thus going through rehearsals and conditioning, to turn obediently to that which was their saving. Our worship services become a kind of parable of this event. It is not the things themselves which save ... no cross, vestment, chalice or font does this; but there is a training of the body, mind, and heart to turn to the God who is able to save.
-- Cobb
There are two levels to this story. One level speaks of a kind of totempole magic. Here is the image of a magic stick with a ready cure for a snake bite. On another level, the people who are bitten suddenly want to be saved. In order to do something about that, they have learned to obey the instruction commanded by Moses. On this level the main focus is on obedience to the Word of God who promises to save. The people were thus going through rehearsals and conditioning, to turn obediently to that which was their saving. Our worship services become a kind of parable of this event. It is not the things themselves which save ... no cross, vestment, chalice or font does this; but there is a training of the body, mind, and heart to turn to the God who is able to save.
-- Cobb
