Bashan

Num 21:35-22:10         12/7/2017

After Israel defeated the Midianite attack, Og, king of Bashan, went to battle against Israel and lost. Just as with the Midianites, Israel took over this land also. God continued to lead the Israelites and settled the camp near Moab. Balak, king of Moab, was very concerned because he perceived that Israel had become too strong to attack.

Momentum: Little victories build confidence.

Stories, like lives lived, have trajectory and velocity and weight. So, they also have momentum.

But the child in me allows that wonders sometimes simply fall out of the sky – bearing no resemblance to the rest of my experience. No continuity necessary. No trajectory. No momentum.

Elephants fly. Animals talk. Locomotives kiss. It could all happen – this is how small children perceive.

Jesus showed up one odd day at a wedding in Cana. Didn’t have much else going on. Hanging out. Someone mentions the wine is gone. Mary asks Jesus if he has any ideas how to help the couple out. With superhuman power he casually changes the water into wine. No big deal. Not showing off – but kinda showing off.

Told like this, it’s a story that a child could accept. But read as an arbitrary episode, it’s hard to believe the whole vignette made it into the bible.

It’s a lazy temptation to think this is how things work.

The reality is that Jesus’ first miracle was the result of thousands of years of history. This act had more momentum than a freight train racing downhill. Nothing could have stopped it’s fulfillment. From Adam, through Noah, through Abraham, through Moses through the kings and the prophets, through exile, through Roman occupation…this miracle was part of the fulfillment of a plan, of a story, that had begun with creation.

Jesus had the choice to get on the train. But the “Jesus train” couldn’t have stopped – couldn’t have been stopped. God intended to introduce His savior into the world. He would suffer, die and be raised as our salvation.

So when you rise tomorrow morning, make your bed. Not because your bed matters much, but because it sets you on the course for accomplishment. Get some momentum. Get on the train that can’t be stopped.

He said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” Luke 19:40