I typically write Friday’s blog on Thursday and this Thursday happens to be Valentine’s day! My social media pages, that aren’t filled with posts bemoaning the weather or the state of politics, are filled with John 3:16 acrostics!
John 3:16, of course, comes from a discussion that Jesus was having with Nicodemus about why He came and my eyes are always drawn to the beginning of this thought in verse 14 where Jesus makes reference to an OT story. Jesus could have referenced the complicated procedure of Yom Kippur, in Leviticus 16, with the multiple blood washings and the scapegoats that illustrate the high cost of sin. He could have cited the exacting incense formula in Exodus 30 to illustrate His holiness. Instead He simply said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Interesting that he picked that one with so many other examples to pick from….
The Bronze Snake
4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. (Numbers 31)
Did you see how non-complex God made it for the people? “Look and Live!” (OT) “Believe in Him!” (NT) In both Testaments life is a free gift; not because it was cheap, but because its worth is an expense beyond what any human could bear. It is an act of the Almighty God and He does not share His glory! So this day after Valentine’s day look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, for your salvation, for your peace, and for your daily power to live the life He created you to live! Just LOOK and BELIEVE!
Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!
Pastor Scott
Grace Notes 