John 3: 9-17
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
A Thought
God sent poisonous snakes in the desert to punish the Israelites for their rebellious actions. Moses lifted up the bronze snake as God commanded so they could be healed by their faith to look upon the snake believing for their healing. We are all born with sin and rebellion and deserve death. In this same manner that God spared those in the desert that would believe and obey, God sent his Son to earth in a body to die unjustly on a cross that we may be saved from death and receive eternal life. We must have faith to believe that God the Father loved us so much that he gave his one and only Son to pay the penalty for our sins.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your love for us by giving Jesus Christ, you Son as payment for our penalty of sin and disobedience. Help us to fully put our faith and confidence in you and your word that might receive eternal life in you. We desire to show this same love and forgiveness to others that they may have faith to believe in you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
