Third Sunday of
Lent
Water, water
Water is an essential element for human life. It is
also a key symbol of the Christian faith. The reading from Exodus tells us of
the Hebrews, wandering in the desert, arguing with Moses and demanding that he
give them water. Moses responded, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt
the Lord?” Following the Lord’s direction, Moses struck the rock in Horeb and
water came out of it. Moses called the place Massah (literally Tempted) and
Meribah (literally Contention). Using the same names (or their translations), Psalm
95 tells us not to harden our hearts as the Hebrews in the desert did, for God
was grieved with that generation for forty years and swore “they shall not
enter My rest”.
Jesus at Jacob’s well with the Samaritan women
speaks of our physical need for water as symbolic of our spiritual need for
God. But with a significant difference: “Whoever drinks of this water will
thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never
thirst.” Paul tells us in the Romans reading of the difference Jesus makes.
“While we were without strength” – like those without water in the desert –
“Christ died for the ungodly”. Through faith in Jesus we can now enter in God’s
rest, that the Hebrews in the desert could not. Not by our actions but by faith
we can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tom Buckner
Pilgrim
bound by staff and faith, rest thy bones, Harrietsham, UK.
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