John 3:8-18

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things? I tell you the truth, We speak of what We know, and We testify to what We have seen, but still you people do not accept Our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak to you of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the One who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.”

– John 3:8-18

Devotion

Jesus continues His dialogue with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was obviously confused by what Jesus said. Jesus points Nicodemus to an Old Testament story (See Numbers 21:4-9) of Moses to point him to a better understanding. When Moses lifted up that brass serpent on a pole, because of God’s judgment upon the sin of the people, all they had to do for healing and forgiveness was to look at it. As Moses lifted up the serpent, so Christ is going to be lifted up for the spiritual healing of many. Jesus points to Himself as the One who will ultimately reconcile mankind to God. Trusting in the finished work of the Son of Man on the cross is the key to experiencing the “new birth” that Jesus is talking about.

The Big Question

How did the O.T. story of Moses help Nicodemus understand Jesus’ statement about being “born again”? According to John 3:16, what must each person do to experience eternal life? What is the difference between “intellectual belief” and “heart-felt faith”? Are you trusting in the finished work of Christ for your soul’s salvation?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God revealed to you today.