John 3:9-15 -- 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
We pick up our journey today with Nicodemus again not fully understanding and Jesus pressing in even more to help him see the whole truth.
Yesterday we saw Jesus confront Nicodemus with truths that challenged his understanding and long held beliefs. When Nicodemus failed to connect what Jesus was saying again, we see Jesus shift into a new direction.
Jesus chides Nicodemus a bit here then moves from discussing things that referenced back to Ezekiel and other scriptures, to giving a direct object lesson about Moses. Instead of trying to get Nicodemus to mentally connect the dots, He gives him something that will paint a more direct image in his mind.
The events Jesus' references are found in Numbers 21:4-9.
Numbers 21:4-9 -- 4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
It's an interesting event and Jesus using it here would've painted a truly clear image in Nicodemus' mind. The people sinned and the punishment for that sin was death. The people recognize what they have done and the punishment for it. They confess their sin; they seek saving from the Lord for it. Moses as the intercessor goes to God and is given the remedy. Setting a bronze serpent upon a pole. Then all who look to it would live. No other action, just to look at it, and know that is the only way to live.
Now, Nicodemus can start to envision all that Jesus is telling him. This isn't about what you know, Nicodemus. This isn't about your lineage and being born as a Jew. This isn't about you working harder or understanding anything better. This is about something WAY bigger; this is about Jesus coming to do something no other ever could. To become the payment for our sin. To be lifted up upon a cross and only by knowing, believing, and looking to Him will there be true eternal life.
If we look at Jesus' words out of context of the scripture around it, out of context from the Old Testament, out of context historically, etc..; it's easy to not understand or misconstrue what is going on or being talked about. When you slow down and see this from Nicodemus' eyes, and from knowing the Old Testament scriptures you start to see the full gravity of what Jesus is conveying.
Beloved, just as Jesus has been pushing Nicodemus here to see, not just the truth, but the whole truth, we too must seek after ALL of Jesus. Make sure we invest in our relationship with Him by spending time with Him, by seeking more than just one side.
That's all for today. Just some things to think about this Wednesday morning. Know you are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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