Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18

The Conversation With Jesus (John 3:2-15) – Continued

From last lesson: Nicodemus was so ingrained to the natural that he still didn’t comprehend the spiritual. So he asked, “How can these things be?” If he, a recognized and honored teacher, did not understand the figure of the wind, how could he grasp the deeper things of the Spirit?

But Nicodemus was an expert in the Jewish Scriptures. So Jesus resorted to them. He cited the episode of the fiery serpents (Numbers 21:6-9). When the people cried out to Moses for help, Jehovah told him to make a serpent of brass, hold it up, and everyone who looked upon it lived. Apparently for the first time, a small light of understanding seemed to appear upon the face of Nicodemus. He recognized the passage to which Jesus referred.

Then Jesus related it to Himself, “Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The Beloved Apostle was referring to Jesus’ crucifixion, something of which Nicodemus knew nothing at this point. At the same time Jesus introduced the element of faith. Why were the Israelites saved from the serpent bites? Because of the element of which the brass serpent was made? Or because of the excellence of the workmanship in making the serpent? Or because of the graceful way in which Moses held the serpent? All these questions call for a negative answer. They were saved simply because the people had faith in God’s promise to be healed and saved. They had to believe the Word of God.

Likewise you will be saved from sin only through faith in God’s promise to save all who believe in His crucified and risen Son. Moses’ act of lifting up the serpent did not heal all the Israelites. The promise was for all, but only those who responded to God’s promise in faith were healed. They had to look to the pole with the serpent. It was there all along, but they had to act. So it is that neither are all people saved from the penalty of sin because Jesus was crucified. Only those are saved who exercise faith in the promises of the crucified One. The Cross was for all, but people still have to look to, or act on the promise of the Cross.

“Whosoever” includes you, me, and all others who respond through faith in the Savior. “Perish” renders the word similarly  to Apollyon, the destroyer, one name of the devil. It might well read “be cast into hell.” Also “eternal life” is not just perceived and assessable at physical death. It is immediate and on-going, a quality of life received the moment we believe in Jesus and that abides in eternity.

Sadly, there are those who preach a message that says you will not know that you are saved until the final judgment. The gospel is that you can be saved here and now and know it. Many times prayers have been closed with the plea, “And save us in heaven at last.” All you have to do is follow “Christian” sites on social media to see prayers prayed often like this. Well, dear reader, unless you are saved now by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8), you will not be saved “in heaven at last.”

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.