“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (KJV, John 3:14-16).
“And as Moses”
Father, thank You for giving me the example of Moses. Moses was a humble man who honored You before the people. Moses was a man who spoke with God face to face, much like a man would talk to a friend. It is said of Moses that he was the most humble man on the face of the earth. I can only imagine that his humility came from being in Your presence. Please bless me with Your presence. Please reveal Yourself to me.
“lifted up the serpent in the wilderness”
In the wilderness, Moses lifted up the serpent. When the people rebelled against You, You made a way to forgive them. Thank You for the grace that You have shown me.
I find that I am often encountered with wilderness moments. I often feel as though I am going through times of testing and need Your guidance to be led out. You brought Your people through the wilderness for forty years to humble and test them so that You would know what was in their hearts. Help me to grow in humility as You take me through the wilderness.
“even so must the Son of man”
Although I find myself in the wilderness, often You have sent Your Son to meet me here. You have wrapped Jesus in the flesh. Jesus has identified himself with me in my weakness. Jesus grew tired. He grew weak. He had to eat food and drink water to live. The God of all creation became subjected to nature. What a humbling reality that Jesus would do such a thing. Thank You for the Son of man.
“be lifted up”
Would You cause me to magnify Christ in my life this day? I am not satisfied as I am. I am too far from who You have called me to be. I see how I fall short. I see how I lack the desire to lift up Christ in my life. May Christ be lifted more in my heart? May he captivate my thoughts and motivate my actions? May Christ be lifted in all areas of my life?
When Isaiah caught a glimpse of You, He saw You High and lifted up. You have told me that You have exalted Jesus and given Him a name above every name. He is the Lord of all the earth and sits at Your right hand, never ceasing to intercede for me.
“That whosoever believeth in him”
You have extended the Gospel call to all humanity. You have made a way whereby sinners may come to You for the forgiveness of their sins. You have shown the world how to dwell with You throughout all eternity. You have declared that it is by faith alone, through Christ alone, that a believer will be allowed into Your presence. You have crushed Your Son in my place and have told me to believe it to be true. You have poured out Your wrath on Your only begotten only to turn to me in love and acceptance. I believe, Lord, and I thank You for Your gracious work.
“should not perish”
Oh, Lord, I see in Your Word that hell is real. Yet, a part of me does not want it to be true, as the horrors of hell are overwhelming. It is hard for me to understand why You would create such a place. However, I see within myself a lack of knowledge that keeps me from knowing what You know. I see that I am inadequate to rise to Your level of wisdom.
I find that there are times when I must trust in You and Your Word. Your Word tells me that the Judge of all the earth will do right. Therefore, I must learn to submit my thoughts and emotions to the Judge of all the earth and believe in my heart that You will do right.
Thank You for sending Your Son into a world that was already condemned. You did not have to come and save me, but You did. Jesus, You did not have to come and die in my place, but You did. Your justice demands that there would be punishment for sin. Thank You for taking my punishment, Jesus.
“but have everlasting life”
It is hard to fathom that there is a place where life does not end. I have nothing to compare such a reality with. Even Paul stated that the light momentary affliction he experienced prepared him for an enteral weight of glory beyond comparison.
However, Your Word tells me that when I go to be with the Lord, I will see my Savior face to face. You tell me that there will be no more pain and suffering in glory and that I will live eternally without sin. Everlasting life will be a place and a state of never-ending joy. Nothing will get in the way of my fellowship with You, and for that, I am thankful.
“For God so loved the world”
Here I see the reason for it all. Here I see why You would desire to save a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found. I have been found with the love of God. You never ceased to pursue me out of Your love. You went to great heights to rescue me because You love me. The love that You have for me is an intense love that is enduring and steadfast. Thank You for Your love and for not giving up on me.
“that he gave”
I see that in Your love You gave. You have set an example for me that I must follow. Show me how to give as You gave. Jesus, You gave Your life for me, but I often want to hold onto my life. Let me never forget that I will lose my life if I seek to save it. Teach me to remember that it is only when I give my life over that I will find it.
Jesus, I desire to walk as Your disciple. Help me to bear my cross each day and so prove to be Your disciple. I aspire to give You my life as You gave me Yours. Please assist me with the power of Your Holy Spirit.
“his only begotten Son”
Jesus, You are exceptional and unique. There is none like You, Jesus; You are matchless in all Your ways. You are the only begotten Son of God. But Father, You gave Your only begotten for me. You gave Your greatest treasure for my sake. Therefore, help me give up all I have if I must to lay hold of Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price.
“that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”
You have created me, and I have sinned against You. You have seen what I have done, and You will not allow my sin to be left unpunished. You are absolutely holy and cannot let me into Your presence due to my defilement.
I have sinned and broken Your law and require Your forgiveness. But I see that You sent Your Son Jesus to the earth many years ago to take on flesh. Jesus, You walked the earth in perfect humility and obedience to the law. You never sinned; instead, all You did was pleasing to the Father. Nevertheless, at the end of Your life, You died a sinners death. When You hung on the cross, You died for me. The Father poured His wrath on You for my sin while the world turned dark.
However, although You died, You rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. You are seated at the Father’s right hand. I believe that You died and rose for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.