Oct 25, 2020
Scripture Reading: John 3:9-15
Having spoken with Nicodemus of the process of the new birth, Jesus now turns His attention to the basis or means of the new birth. The new birth (regeneration) is necessary for entrance into the kingdom of God, but on what basis can such a transformation happen?
Jesus now takes Nicodemus into heavenly realities as He speaks of the work of redemption He came to perform. To illustrate His 'heavenly' truth, Jesus cites an Old Testament story that Nicodemus would have been very familiar with, found in Numbers 21. It is the story of yet another episode of Israelite sinning and God's judgment.
To judge and awaken the Jews in the wilderness, God sent a plague of snakes to bring disease and death. But God also provided a way for the Jews to be healed from the snake bites. Moses put a bronze snake on a pole and commanded the people to look to the snake to be healed. Those who believed what God had said, and looked at the elevated snake, were healed.
In John 3:14,15, Jesus referred to His death on a cross as the means of bringing salvation to a cursed humanity. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
Eternal life comes to every person who, in heartfelt faith, looks away from self to Christ, alone, for mercy and life. He is healing for every sin-cursed soul.