John 3:1-17 (NRSV)
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Chapter 3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. Verse 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Verse 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Verse 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Verse 5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. Verse 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Verse 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' Verse 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Verse 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Verse 10Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Verse 11"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. Verse 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? Verse 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. Verse 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, Verse 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Verse 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Verse 17"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Devotion
God said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live: (Numbers 21:8). If you have ever been to the doctor, a hospital or a clinic you may have seen this image—a traditional medical seal with two snakes circling a pole.
Jesus used this ancient story, but with a twist. Instead of looking at a snake on a pole for healing, Jesus said, "Look to the cross and live." Throughout the ancient Roman Empire, the cross was a symbol of power, pain and fear. The cross represented something so horrible that just its image, forlorn and looming over a city, conveyed great suffering and sin.
God takes the cross, this symbol of sin and transforms it into an instrument of life. God's son is lifted up on the cross so that all who look to it will find life. Through the cross, our pain, brokenness and burdens are transformed into balm, healing and peace. Look to the cross and you shall live.
Prayer
O God, we give thanks that through Jesus' death on the cross you have shown the power to turn suffering into healing, to turn brokenness into wholeness, to take death and turn it into life. Amen.