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NASB | John 3:14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:14 "Just as Moses lifted up the [bronze] serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], [Num 21:9] |
Subject: Jesus' Instruction to Nicodemus |
Bible Note: Hi John, Scripture does not record anyone refusing to look at the serpent, but then, neither does Scripture record anyone specifically looking at the serpent. It simply records that the salvation was effective when received. We can only speculate whether or not there were some who did not look. We can likewise only speculate on what they "knew", or thought they knew. How many times did the people Not Believe Moses? How many times were they disobedient to his words? A Lot! But in my experience, I have not known people to always demonstrate a belief in what others considered to be a proven fact. It would not surprise me if I were to learn that there were those who said "Stupid superstition - I'm dying!", and refused to look, and died. Jesus could have chosen any example, and the example He chose was of salvation freely available to all. This sure fits the rest of the Scriptures! :-) Not to mention all the typology contained in that example. Of course we are helpless without God! It was not the people's gaze upon the thing of bronze that cured them. If was the divine, sovereign, work of God that cured them, just as it is the divine, sovereign work of God that saves us. How does "free will" fit into the picture? It was up to the people to look or not. To believe or not. And it is up to us to receive or not. God saves the willing, and wills all to be saved. Love in Christ, Mark |