Jesus said, " I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
My feelings on these passages –
Jesus is telling us that we have a hard time believing that things we see, hear, taste and feel in this world. If we have a hard time believing the things we experience or that are related experiences of others then how can we bring ourselves to believe the things he tells us about heaven and God! He is asking for us to have faith in him and he will be with us through everything we endure on this planet in this life.
Moses made a bronze serpent for the Israelites to look at to save their lives if they were bitten by the vipers that infested the camp. To look at the serpent meant that they had faith in God and that he would deliver them. To not look on the serpent meant death. Jesus said. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” This means that we must look to Jesus to open our way to Heaven and salvation. Through him we find comfort, peace and love. He will guide us if we listen to him and he will never abandon us.
If ever you feel separated from him it is because you turned away from him not him turning away from you. Jesus asks that you believe in him and follow his teachings. He demands nothing, requires nothing – he asks. You don’t have to follow him but to follow him is the only way to eternal salvation. Being good and doing right isn’t enough. We all sin every day and we need the forgiveness of God to enter into his presence and that entrance is only achieved through Jesus. Jesus loves us and it hurts him when we reject him. He went through more pain and suffering then you could ever imagine. Not only did he suffer the physical abuse of beatings and crucifixion but the humiliation of the mocking soldiers and the crowd. The worst was that God, in the moment of his most intense physical and emotional pain had to turn his back on him. Not because he had sinned but because he took into himself all sins of every human past. . . present . . .and future, of every person who would ever exist, for every sin you have ever and will ever commit. He went through this more alone than you will ever be, then you have ever felt. He did it for you because at that moment he knew your name, he knew who you were and what you were like. That is how much he loves you and that is how much he suffered for you. All he asks in return is that you believe in him, have faith in him and take him into your heart as your savior and friend, mostly your friend. Someone who you can talk to and tell your worst fears and to share your happiest moments.
