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Nearly 2000 years ago, a famous teacher secretly met with someone who had recently risen to fame. Nicodemus had a reputation as a leader, a good man, and a great teacher, yet he saw something in this new figure he had never seen before. So, he met with Him and said the one thing he knew for certain:

“Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” The Bible, John 3:2 

Nicodemus knew God was with this man, and more than that, God had sent this man.

With unique wisdom and insight, the mysterious, itinerant, former carpenter from Nazareth spoke to Nicodemus’ heart. Through a brief conversation, He revealed that anyone who would enter God’s kingdom must experience a second birth. This new, miraculous birth would result in spiritual life, just as the natural birth gives physical life.

Nearly 1400 years before this meeting between Nicodemus and the Nazarene, Moses had led the nation of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. On the way, as a judgment, snakes had entered the camp and attacked the people. God provided one means of healing—they must look to a brass snake Moses raised up for all to see. If they would just look, they would live!

This man from Nazareth explained that in order to receive the second birth, they must look to the Son of God who would be raised up for all to see, just as Moses did with the serpent in the wilderness.

Whoever would look to the Son of God would not perish, but they would live!

Then John records the words of this man from Nazareth, this man who from before His birth had been given the name and title, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Savior of not just Hebrews who had been bitten by snakes, but the Savior for all sinners who would look to Him! Jesus Christ, the only Savior from sin, the only Sacrifice acceptable.

The words John recorded for us, found in John 3:16, are among the most famous ever written:

“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.” The Bible, John 3:16

For God so loved — everything about this verse points to an emphasis on the love of God. The holy and righteous God of creation cannot overlook sin. A God who could overlook sin could commit sin, and such a tyrant the world could not imagine. Yet, our holy and righteous God loved His creation so much that He provided a way of salvation. This salvation would deliver justice, but also provide forgiveness.

The World — if you are in the world, then you are loved by God and the promise that follows belongs to you.

That He gave His only begotten Son — in order to save sinners a substitute had to be offered, a sacrifice must be made. The substitute had to be like humanity, but in order to pay a price of infinite suffering the sacrifice had to be like God. So, the Son of God took on flesh, joining divinity with humanity.

That whosoever believeth in Him  — whoever would receive God’s gift must simply believe! To believe in Jesus Christ means we accept we have sinned, we deserve judgment, we cannot save ourselves, but by Jesus Christ we can be forgiven and saved!

Should not perish — to perish means not just the end of life, but an eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.

But have everlasting life — everlasting life is eternity spent in the presence of God, giving Him the glory He alone deserves, and receiving joy and blessings we cannot now imagine.

How did Jesus save us?

We have all sinned, and sin deserves punishment. For you and I that means an eternity of suffering. When Jesus Christ hung on the cross, my sin and yours was placed on Him like a robe. God the Father looked on His Son, then punished Him for our sins.

As the price has been paid, if we confess we have sinned and ask God to forgive us because of what Jesus did in our place, then God is faithful to forgive us, and to make us clean!

Would you turn from your sin and ask God to save you today?

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