John 3:14

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Jesus explained to Nicodemus that Jesus would soon be crucified on the cross. Jesus’ death was not going to be a terrible mistake; it was going to be the way of salvation for Nicodemus and for all of us who would believe. Jesus used a powerful example from the Old Testament. The people grumbled and complained, so God had to send poisonous snakes to bite them and teach them a lesson. The people quickly cried out to Moses in repentance. God instructed Moses to make a brass serpent and put it up on a pole so that everyone across the camp could see it. If those who were bitten looked in faith to the brass serpent, the poison would be neutralized and they would survive the snakebite. What a great story of God’s mercy. God judges disobedience, but God also provides forgiveness if we repent and are sorry for our disobedience. God is just and holy, but also loving and forgiving. A good example for us!