John 3:16 is arguably the most famous verse in the Bible. But few people actually know the backstory. It all started in Numbers 21, with Israel wandering in the wilderness after their Exodus from Egypt. The people were disgruntled and spoke in rebellion against God. In response, God sent poisonous snakes that bit the people and many died as a result.
But with the consequence, God also provided a way of escape and healing. He told Moses to make a bronze snake that represented the consequence of their sin and lift it high on a pole for all to see. Then anyone who looked upon it in faith would be healed from the venomous consequences of their sin.
In John 3:14-16 Jesus revealed that this whole story in Numbers was a foreshadowing of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Jesus shows us a profound truth here, that God’s motive behind sending painful consequences isn’t anger or frustration, but deep, unconditional, sacrificial love.
The purpose of the snakes wasn't just to punish Israel, but to cause them to recognize that sin has a deadly bite and turn to God in faith for salvation. In the same way, God still sends fiery consequences into our lives, not to punish us, but to help us realize that sin has a venomous bite that can ultimately kill us.
Just as the bronze serpent represented Israel’s sin, Jesus became our sin when He was lifted high on the cross. When we look at the cross, we need to see not just Jesus on it, but all of our sin as well. In order to embrace a new righteous life in Christ, it is imperative that we first believe that our old sinful life was crucified with Christ.
Now that you know the backstory, what do you see when you picture the cross?
But with the consequence, God also provided a way of escape and healing. He told Moses to make a bronze snake that represented the consequence of their sin and lift it high on a pole for all to see. Then anyone who looked upon it in faith would be healed from the venomous consequences of their sin.
In John 3:14-16 Jesus revealed that this whole story in Numbers was a foreshadowing of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Jesus shows us a profound truth here, that God’s motive behind sending painful consequences isn’t anger or frustration, but deep, unconditional, sacrificial love.
The purpose of the snakes wasn't just to punish Israel, but to cause them to recognize that sin has a deadly bite and turn to God in faith for salvation. In the same way, God still sends fiery consequences into our lives, not to punish us, but to help us realize that sin has a venomous bite that can ultimately kill us.
Just as the bronze serpent represented Israel’s sin, Jesus became our sin when He was lifted high on the cross. When we look at the cross, we need to see not just Jesus on it, but all of our sin as well. In order to embrace a new righteous life in Christ, it is imperative that we first believe that our old sinful life was crucified with Christ.
Now that you know the backstory, what do you see when you picture the cross?
Posted in devo