rl69
07-09-2017, 07:37 AM
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" (John 3:14-15).
Scripture Focus: John 3
Jesus came to provide the way for us to meet God and respond to His love. To help us understand the extent of God's love, Jesus pointed back to an incident from Old Testament times. Once, when the Israelites rebelled against God, they were punished by poisonous serpents. Many Israelites died. Then God told Moses to make a bronze snake and raise it high on a pole. To be saved from death, the smitten people had only to look up at that serpent.
Jesus explained that He would be lifted up in the most incredible expression of God's love. On the cross Jesus would bear the punishment we each deserve. In order to receive the gift of eternal life, we need only to look up at the cross, believing that Jesus gave His life there for us. The cross is a symbol of unspeakable suffering and punishment for sin. It is also the symbol of God rea ching out in love and grace, offering forgiveness and eternal life. Our part is to believe that this wondrous expression of love is for us.
Insight: Have you believed the good news? God has provided in His Son the way in which you can have eternal life. Believe it . . . and receive it!
Scripture Focus: John 3
Jesus came to provide the way for us to meet God and respond to His love. To help us understand the extent of God's love, Jesus pointed back to an incident from Old Testament times. Once, when the Israelites rebelled against God, they were punished by poisonous serpents. Many Israelites died. Then God told Moses to make a bronze snake and raise it high on a pole. To be saved from death, the smitten people had only to look up at that serpent.
Jesus explained that He would be lifted up in the most incredible expression of God's love. On the cross Jesus would bear the punishment we each deserve. In order to receive the gift of eternal life, we need only to look up at the cross, believing that Jesus gave His life there for us. The cross is a symbol of unspeakable suffering and punishment for sin. It is also the symbol of God rea ching out in love and grace, offering forgiveness and eternal life. Our part is to believe that this wondrous expression of love is for us.
Insight: Have you believed the good news? God has provided in His Son the way in which you can have eternal life. Believe it . . . and receive it!