John 3:13-17

Continuing on with Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, these are some of the most impactful words concerning Jesus’ origin and purpose for coming. He came down from heaven to be lifted up on a pole as a sacrifice for our sins. The reference Jesus uses to the bronze serpent is found in Numbers 21:4–9. God had sent fiery snakes to punish the Israelites for their continual complaints against Him, and many died from their bites. God then instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Anyone who looked at the bronze serpent would be healed.

This event foreshadowed what Jesus would do by dying for us on the cross, as all who look to Him and believe in Him will be saved.
The next two verses are powerful in understanding the essence of the Gospel and bear repeating:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.”

If I had only two Scriptures to explain the message of the Bible, it would be these two. The entirety of the Bible centers on the coming, the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. The Old Testament foreshadowed His coming, and the New Testament documents His coming and His continued work through His people after His resurrection. We have all been commissioned with this Good News.

Much like the angel’s declaration to the shepherds:

“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’”
Luke 2:10–11 (NLT)

May we all understand this message, take it to heart, and share it with others. Our sins have been paid for, and our judgment fell on Him at the cross. We have only to look to Him and believe, and we will be saved.

Why wouldn’t we tell others this Good News?