John 3:16 

Have you ever seen “John 3:16” painted on a sign, printed on a T-shirt, or held up at a sporting event? What does it mean? Where does it come from? What’s the big deal? It is actually the most famous verse in all the Bible. “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.”

Often, after quoting this passage to someone, I will ask, “have you ever heard of John 3:14, ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up’?” The response is either a blank stare, a perplexed look, or plain uncertainty. Yet this verse is the key to understanding John 3:16, the way to everlasting life, and forgiveness of sin. Your understanding of and response to these verses will impact you for all eternity.

In John 3, a very religious but lost sinner, name Nicodemus, came seeking Jesus at night. He was outwardly moral. He was a teacher of religion. He knew Jesus came from God, but he was still unforgiven and empty. Jesus Christ told him exactly what he needed to hear: “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). That is the answer to everyone’s need no matter their status or background.

Nicodemus had a hard time comprehending what this meant, so he probed further with sincere questions. Jesus explained the difference between physical and spiritual birth, emphasized it was a matter only understood by faith, and then he reminded this seeking sinner of a banner moment in Jewish history: the brass serpent on a pole.

This is found in Numbers 21. The Israelites were traveling from Egypt to Canaan. Moses was leading them, and God was protecting and providing their every need. In all of this, their journey became long, their enemies were real, and they grew weary and rebelled. In doing so, they sinned and invited the judgment of God. “The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6).

This instance reveals two facts about God: He always hates sin, and He always judges sin. First, He judges sin by death. “The soul that sinneth it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). Finally, God judges sin by an eternity in hell. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

The people of Israel responded immediately to God’s judgment with repentant hearts, admitting their sin. “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee…” (Numbers 21:7). Immediately, God’s mercy was shown to the sinner. The Lord instructed Moses, make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole” (Numbers 21:8a). This was a piece of brass wrapped around a pole in the form of a serpent.

This solution is indeed perplexing to the casual observer. Why would God command that a piece of brass be formed and fashioned around a pole? How could it possibly solve anything or save anyone? Yet this was God’s way! Are you aware that you see the serpent on the pole frequently? It is on the side of an ambulance; on a paramedic’s patch, and inside a hospital. Still today, it stands as a picture of rescue, healing, and God’s way of salvation!

The Lord said, “…It shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live (Numbers 21:8). This provided the means for the people to exercise faith in God’s Word and God’s way of deliverance. So Moses sculpted a piece of brass around a pole in the shape of a serpent, he lifted it up before the people, and whoever had been bitten, “when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived” (Numbers 21:9).

Do you see the connection? The Jews were in a crisis because of their sin. You and I are in a crisis because of our sin! “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). They were dying because of God’s judgment. You and are dying and headed to hell because of God’s judgment. “…so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). “The wicked shall be turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17a). God provided the Israelites deliverance through the serpent being lifted up on the pole. This same gracious God has provided deliverance through Jesus Christ being lifted up on the cross. “Christ died for our sins…was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Any Jew who, by faith, looked to the serpent and believed God’s Word, lived. If you will, by faith, look to Jesus Christ, you will have eternal life and truly live! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

You know that you have sinned and broken God’s law. You know that, because of this, payment for sin must be made. You know that Jesus was more than just a historical figure but God’s only begotten Son and the only Savior of the world. You know He died for you, was buried, and rose again. Would you, right now, place your faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation? Don’t delay. Do it now. By faith, look and live!

“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.” John 3:16

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