SPEAKER_00: In today's gospel, we see Jesus say, if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins.
SPEAKER_00: That's not symbolic.
SPEAKER_00: That's not poetic.
SPEAKER_00: That's not exaggerated.
SPEAKER_00: That is as direct as it gets.
SPEAKER_00: And the question is, do we believe that?
SPEAKER_00: Or have we created a version of Christianity that's softer, safer, more comfortable?
SPEAKER_00: Because Jesus doesn't say, if you don't believe in me, it's fine.
SPEAKER_00: If you don't believe in me, well, you'll figure out later.
SPEAKER_00: And no, he says, you will die in your sins.
SPEAKER_00: Now go to the first reading because this is where it begins.
SPEAKER_00: The people are tired, frustrated, impatient, and they start to complain, not just about Moses, but about God.
SPEAKER_00: Why have you brought us here?
SPEAKER_00: There's nothing to eat.
SPEAKER_00: We're disgusted.
SPEAKER_00: Sounds familiar.
SPEAKER_00: Because this is not ancient history.
SPEAKER_00: This is who we are.
SPEAKER_00: This is our human condition.
SPEAKER_00: When life gets hard, when things don't go our way, when we can't control the situation, can't control the narrative.
SPEAKER_00: When God doesn't act on our timeline, we complain.
SPEAKER_00: We question.
SPEAKER_00: We turn inward, and then something happens.
SPEAKER_00: Serpents, they bite, people begin to die.
SPEAKER_00: Now don't misunderstand this.
SPEAKER_00: God is not being petty.
SPEAKER_00: This is not random punishment.
SPEAKER_00: This is revelation.
SPEAKER_00: Sin kills, destroys the soul.
SPEAKER_00: That's the point.
SPEAKER_00: And here's the problem.
SPEAKER_00: We don't believe that anymore.
SPEAKER_00: We think sin is a mistake, a weakness, a personality trait.
SPEAKER_00: But scripture is clear.
SPEAKER_00: Sin is deadly, not emotionally, not symbolically, spiritually deadly.
SPEAKER_00: So what does God do?
SPEAKER_00: Gives them a remedy.
SPEAKER_00: Not complicated, not hidden, a bronze serpent.
SPEAKER_00: Lift it up.
SPEAKER_00: And he says, look at it.
SPEAKER_00: And if you look at it, you will live.
SPEAKER_00: Think about that.
SPEAKER_00: The very thing that wounded them becomes the instrument of their healing.
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you go to the gospel, Jesus says, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am.
SPEAKER_00: There it is.
SPEAKER_00: That's the key.
SPEAKER_00: He's talking about the cross.
SPEAKER_00: The cross is the bronze serpent.
SPEAKER_00: Lift it up so that anyone who looks at it and believes will live.
SPEAKER_00: Here's the problem people don't want to look.
SPEAKER_00: Because to look at the cross is to face the truth.
SPEAKER_00: That sin is real, that sin is serious, that sin has its consequences, and that we need saving.
SPEAKER_00: And that's what Jesus is saying.
SPEAKER_00: If you do not believe that I am, if you do not believe who I am, what I've come to do, what sin actually is, you will die in your sins.
SPEAKER_00: It's not common condemnation, it's a diagnosis.
SPEAKER_00: So here's the challenge, and this is where it gets personal.
SPEAKER_00: What are you refusing to look at?
SPEAKER_00: What in your life have you minimized, justified, ignored?
SPEAKER_00: Because the Israelites had to do something very simple.
SPEAKER_00: Look.
SPEAKER_00: That's it.
SPEAKER_00: Not explain, not fix, not argue.
SPEAKER_00: Look at the bronze serpent.
SPEAKER_00: We struggle with that.
SPEAKER_00: Because looking means being honest, having humility, surrendering.
SPEAKER_00: Some of us are trying to manage our lives without God.
SPEAKER_00: Some of us, yes, we believe in God, but not enough to change.
SPEAKER_00: Some of us know exactly what needs to happen.
SPEAKER_00: But Jesus is not vague today.
SPEAKER_00: He's not soft.
SPEAKER_00: He's not trying to impress you.
SPEAKER_00: He's not trying to scare you or shame you.
SPEAKER_00: He's trying to save you.
SPEAKER_00: If you do not believe that I am, not if you do not believe that I exist, if you do not believe that I am the Son, the Savior, the one who died for you, the one who was lifted up for you, then what happens?
SPEAKER_00: You stay where you are.
SPEAKER_00: And where you are is not neutral.
SPEAKER_00: So here's what you, so here's what you do today.
SPEAKER_00: Very simple, but very, but not easy.
SPEAKER_00: Stop minimizing sin, call it for what it is.
SPEAKER_00: Look at the cross, not casually, intentionally, and then believe enough to change.
SPEAKER_00: Not just feel, but real change.
SPEAKER_00: Because the cross is not decoration, it's not jewelry, it's not background, it is the answer to everything.
SPEAKER_00: The same Jesus who says, You will die in your sins, is the same Jesus who says, look at me.
SPEAKER_00: If you do, you will live.
SPEAKER_00: So don't walk away, don't avoid, don't delay.
SPEAKER_00: Look, believe, and live in Him.
SPEAKER_00: Amen.