Lesson 4477

(Lesson 4477)(05-06-24) John 3:11-15 

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” 

 

In today’s quote, Jesus continued His dialogue with Nicodemus. He stressed the authenticity of His teachings by asserting that He speaks of what He knows and has witnessed, yet His testimony is not accepted. Jesus then contrasted earthly and heavenly things, suggesting that if Nicodemus does not believe when He speaks of earthly things, then it would be even more difficult for him to understand heavenly matters. Jesus alludes to His eventual crucifixion by referring to an Old Testament incident involving Moses: just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness to heal the Israelites, so must the Son of Man be lifted up (referring to Jesus’ death on the cross), so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. This passage emphasizes belief in Jesus as the means for eternal salvation for humanity. It also suggests no other means by which a soul can be saved.~