Third Sunday in Lent: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13                

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Following the leader in the Bible crops up again and again. Of course, the key issue is what type of leader we are following there. There are varieties of leaders, after all. We have great ones like Moses (a sinner), David (a sinner), Paul (a sinner). And on the sinner list goes. Then there are the not-so-good human leaders (sinners all). Finally, there is the only truly qualified and capable Leader, our Lord Jesus (matchless and without sin).

Jesus appears in the wilderness wanderings of Old Testament Israel as what the ancients would have classified perhaps as the fount of wisdom. Although Moses was hand-picked and very laudable on many fronts, even he realized that the “spiritual drink” sustaining them all in the wilderness was the Promised One. Paul writes thus: “... all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” ( 1 Cor. 10:4). 

Paul goes on to revisit the fact that the generation spoken of above did not make it safely into the promised land because they failed to follow the One who sustained them. Several examples of failure are highlighted, followed by warnings for Paul’s readers (and us) to learn from that serious and sinful departure from the will of God. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (vv. 11-12). 

I love the warning. Because wrapped up in it is the love of God for sinners. Following the “Rock” begins with having received His life and after, the truth that in every temptation “he will provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (v. 13). God has provided the way out. I forget that too much and sometimes to my shame, willfully. I follow my way instead of following Him. Our Savior who called Himself “the way,” is also, God be praised, the way OUT. Of temptation. Every time.