Monday, John 3

Look Up!

“And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.” (Vs. 14-15)

In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites “grew impatient along the way” and began to murmur against God and Moses . . . “why did you bring us to the wilderness to die . . . there’s nothing to eat or drink . . . we hate this wretched manna!”

The Israelites not only murmured against God but against God’s chosen leader for them. A very dangerous place.

What was the root of their complaining? Their heart attitude! Impatient hearts . . . thankless hearts . . . they were in the “ME” chair!

When they came to their senses and saw that they had sinned by speaking against the Lord and against Moses, they asked Moses to pray for them. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on the top of a pole (a type and shadow of Jesus’ death on the cross).

“If they simply look at it,” God said, “those who have been bitten will live.” Their obedience to God to “look up” brought healing, not the bronze serpent itself.

Do you/I need peace today? “Look up!”

Do you/I need love today? “Look up!”

Do you/I need forgiveness today? “Look up?”

Do you/I need healing today? “Look up!”

Whatever we have need of today, “LOOK UP!” and RECEIVE from God's rich grace and mercy.