Anchor My Faith

A Compelling Picture

Scripture: John 3:15

With this lesson we will finish our study of John 3:14, which we started in lesson H111. For our reference, that verse is: “[Just] as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” We were also considering five observations given by John Piper and listed in lesson H111. We covered the first three in the previous lesson, leaving the last two to be covered in this lesson, along with verse 15.

Jesus did no wrong. He was able to live fully by the law and out of envy sinful men lifted him up on the cross to be crucified. These men devised evil and nailed him to the cross as a curse to die a shameful, horrible death. God used this evil as a time for good, a time for Jesus to finish the work he was sent to do. Through his death provision was made so “that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:15 ESV).

The uniqueness of Christianity is the cross and the death of God’s Son on it to provide the way of salvation. This is indeed a compelling picture of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners. This is the picture we need to keep before those like Nicodemus who say, “How can these things be?” Belief in the cross and Jesus crucified is the only way of salvation. When we come with believing faith we will then understand being born from above.

In the beginning was the word “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 ESV). As Jesus is lifted up on the cross we behold his glory and in that look we receive grace that only he can give.

Prayer

Father, thank you for this amazing illustration of the snake on the pole in Numbers and how it points to Jesus on the cross. Thank you for the requirements that were met so that you could offer us the free gift of eternal life.