2 || Numbers of Lent || Week 3

During our Lenten journey, we talked about:

• The number 40 and how it represents different journeys, specifically the 40-day journey through Lent.
• The number 3 and how it represents completeness, especially the completeness of Jesus’ final act.

Today we focus on the number 2. The number 2 represents a union, division, or verification of facts by witnesses. The primary example of how we see the number 2 is in the Bible. It’s separated into two parts, or two testaments, if you will. Jesus often sent the disciples out in groups of 2 so that they couldn’t only testify about Jesus’ teachings and miracles and be witnesses to those who believed or didn’t believe in Jesus. Two can only convey comparison and contrast and refers to the differences between the Old and New Testaments. Jesus pointed out just two rules that we should also follow in the New Testament: to Love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love others as we love ourselves.

One of my favorite instances of the number two showing up is in the shortest verse of the Bible. This verse shows up in John 11:35, and it says this: Jesus wept. This verse is about when he heard Lazarus had died. When first reading our scripture for today’s service, it was interesting that it was also two verses long and talks about Jesus’ thirst. Both stories here represent a liquid or water of some kind. Well, the chemical formula for water is H20. It’s of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The main reason why I bring the liquids is that Jesus received two offers to drink two different drinks while he was on the cross. 

Jesus had received offers to drink wine twice. He refused the first but took the second one. Why? The first drink was wine mixed with myrrh. Using myrrh with wine was an old tradition from the respected women of Jerusalem. They offered this drink to decrease their sensitivity to the excruciating pain. Still, Jesus refused it because He wanted to endure with full consciousness the sufferings that he endured. 

The second drink came after some bystanders through Jesus was calling for Elijah. They ran to fill a sponge of sour wine, put it on a read, and gave it to him to drink. They thought afterward: “Let’s see if Elijah will save him.” In the Old Testament, this sour wine drink is something refreshing. In Greek and Roman culture, it’s known as a standard beverage for the hard workers and soldiers because it relieves thirst more effectively than water. Plus, it was cheap. This drink was not awful to give to Jesus. Since they wanted to wait and see if Elijah was coming to save Jesus, they wanted to keep Jesus conscious for as long as possible. 

So the first drink (mixed with myrrh) was designed to dull Jesus’ pain and keep him from enduring this suffering with full consciousness. This wine he refused. The Second (sour wine) was given to him to keep him awake for as long as possible, thus prolonging this suffering. Most people, I included, would have taken the first drink so that we wouldn’t feel the pain, but Jesus took the second. He knew that there were no shortcuts to save humanity. At the cross, Jesus drank this wine for us so that we might enjoy the love and grace that God gives us. 

Sometimes we second guess ourselves because we don’t feel confident in the initial decision, and often our second choices can be the more productive route. It’s because we have more doubt and less confidence in our decision-making process, and the second choice, we’re able to make sense of more and think it through a little easier. That second choice can reinforce that the first choice is right or wrong, but it often takes two points. Jesus was offered two drinks and took the second. We have two choices: to follow the world or follow Jesus. Often, we can look at the world and see that Jesus is the ultimate answer. I challenge you this week that when you’re facing a decision, you invite Jesus into the conversation and listen to what He tells you. See you next week!