September 26 - An Old Testament Illustration of Salvation - Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John Macarthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life’” (John 3:14–15).

To emphasize for Nicodemus that there was no excuse for him to be ignorant of the way of salvation, Jesus appealed to a familiar incident in the Old Testament (Num. 21:5–9).

The event took place during Israel’s forty years of wilderness wandering after leaving Egypt and before entering the Promised Land. As a judgment on the people’s incessant complaining, the Lord sent venomous snakes to infest their camp. In desperation, the Israelites begged Moses to intercede on their behalf. And God answered Moses’ prayerful petition by showing mercy to His rebellious people. He instructed Moses to make a bronze replica of a snake and raise it above the camp on a pole. Those who were bitten would be healed if they but looked at it, thereby acknowledging their guilt and expressing faith in God’s forgiveness and healing power.

The point of Jesus’ analogy is that just “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (crucified; cf. 8:28; 12:32, 34). The term “must” emphasizes that Christ’s death was a necessary part of God’s plan of salvation. He had to die as a substitute for sinners. The stricken Israelites were cured by obediently looking to the elevated serpent, apart from any works or righteousness of their own, in complete hope and dependence on God’s Word. In the same way, whoever looks in faith alone to the crucified Christ will be cured from sin’s deadly bite and “will in Him have eternal life.”

Ask Yourself

The use of analogies and common knowledge is most effective in sharing gospel truth with others. What are some of the most compelling ones God has registered in your heart? Be deliberate about getting these down, grounding them biblically, then having them mentally available to share.

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

[metmom]

Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional:”Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.

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[metmom]

Studying God’s Word Ping

[Red Badger]

[SouthernClaire]

Thank you, Metmom.

[MHGinTN]

And as we humans are typical to do, the Israelites made an idol out of the serpent example, making little copies of the serpent on the pole and praying to it when things got rough following the entry into the Promised Land. It was several generations later that a new king over Israel had to ban the idols and the practice of praying to the imagery. ... Reminds me of a certain religion in our day that uses idols to pray to and through.

[Hebrews 11:6]

"Hezekiah Removes the Bronze Serpent"

[Ken Regis]

This is the very “type“ of salvation by faith that convinced my four year-old son to believe and be saved. That was 28 years ago.

He walks strong in the Lord today.

[MHGinTN]

Thanks be to God! Keep prayers on that boy, the Lord may have a special purpose in stoore.

[fidelis]

Reminds me of a certain religion in our day that uses idols to pray to and through.

Please do not disrespect metmom's devotional threads with bigoted and ignorant snide remarks about other Christians. Thanks.

[MHGinTN]

There is an old country sayin’ about throwing a rock into a pack of feral dogs and the one that yelps was hit with the rock. How many idols do the Hindus worship? How many idols are there in Zoroastrianism? Are you a Catholic?

[fidelis]

So you were attacking Catholics but were just too cowardly to say so. Tells me all I need to know.

Metmom has requested no controversial subjects or debate on these threads so I, for one, will respect that. I bid you good day.

[MHGinTN]

You leaped to the opportunity to accuse: "So you were attacking Catholics but were just too cowardly to say so. Tells me all I need to know." You, sir, know nothing. It did not occur to you that what I qwrote was made neutral BECAUSE it is metmom's devotional thread.

There is a biblical sayin' that came to mind as I read your profile page. You like to accuse so see if you can discern which biblical passage I am hinting at.

[fidelis]

[MHGinTN]

LOL, so appropriate! Don’t be so angry.

[Elsie]

Reminds me of a certain religion in our day that uses idols to pray to and through.

Please do not disrespect metmom's devotional threads with bigoted and ignorant snide remarks about other Christians.

HMMMmmm...

I see no mention of CHRISTIANS in her reply.

I have heard, however, that the dog that yelps is the one the rock hit.

[Elsie]

I just KNEW I shudda read ahead!

[Elsie]

WE said we’d be nice to one another, so I’ll not comment about any displays of victimhood in this thread.

[Elsie]

There is a biblical sayin' that came to mind as I read your profile page.

One need not go that far.

---

(👈 Under no obligation to respond to rude, ignorant, abusive, bellicose, and obnoxious posts.)

[fidelis]

I have heard, however, that the dog that yelps is the one the rock hit.

And thus the olive branch, proffered by you only a few days ago, has been quickly snatched back. I suppose I should not be surprised or disappointed.

[Elsie]

Perhaps I need a new tagline:

(Likely to respond to posts that display victimhood, thin-skinnedness, mindreading, or other conjured-up abilities.)