At this time of year it is good to know who Jesus is and what He did and said. The apostle John wrote his gospel for this very reason. John 20: 30 – 31 For those who know Him we can be reminded of what He has done in our hearts and lives. For those who do not know of Him or have a relationship with Him that they might understand what He offers us as a free gift of God’s grace and mercy.
John 3:10 – 21 What Jesus said …
In His dialog with Nicodemus (a Jewish ruler) Jesus rebukes him for doubting His teaching about being “born again” (born by the Spirit of God) before you can see or enter the Kingdom of God. He reveals who He is and what His authority and purpose were and are still.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
When Jesus here uses the plural “We”, He is in the context of his dialog speaking with the authority of God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jesus came down from heaven to become the “Son of Man” and He is prophetically saying that, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (so they who looked on it by faith could be saved from death from their snake bites), so all who look to Him (Jesus, who would hang on a cross) would not die but have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
No one can doubt in this chaotic and insane world, with the corrption and pain and suffering that sinful man has caused, that there is a need for all to be reminded of the precious gift of forgiveness and salvation through the grace and love that God has revealed in His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you don’t know Jesus and you have not been “born again” by the Spirit, then seek Him, read His word and consider His promises. Talk to those who know and, if you like, ask questions on this blog. The Lord will not fail reveal Himself to you.
If you know Jesus, remember to exalt and honor Him, and share Him with those who do not know Him. You are invited share your thoughts on this blog.
Blessings in our precious Lord Jesus, Vince