March 30, 2024

God's Desire from the Beginning

Numbers 21:9; John 3:14-21

Matt Atchley
Saturday's Devo

March 30, 2024

Saturday's Devo

March 30, 2024

Saturday's Devo

March 30, 2024

Saturday's Devo

March 30, 2024

Big Book Idea

He is Risen!

Key Verse | John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Numbers 21:9

9 So Moses made a bronze 1 21:9 Or copper serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Footnotes

[1] 21:9 Or copper
Table of Contents
Introduction to Numbers

Introduction to Numbers

Timeline

Author and Date

Moses is the source and primary author of the book of Numbers, which is the fourth volume in the Pentateuch. Its English name comes from the censuses in chs. 1–4 and 26.

Numbers tells of Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the borders of the Promised Land, summarizing some 40 years of the nation’s history. With Israel having been freed from slavery in Egypt and then receiving the law (Exodus and Leviticus), the book of Numbers begins with the people’s final preparations to leave Sinai. It then records their triumphal setting out, before a series of events in which the people grumbled about the difficulty of the journey and the impossibility of conquering Canaan. This response leads God to delay their entry to Canaan by 40 years. The closing chapters of the book tell how the people at last set out again and reach the banks of the Jordan, ready to cross into the land promised to their forefathers.

Theme and Purpose

The theme of Numbers is the gradual fulfillment of the promises to Abraham that his descendants would be the people of God and would occupy the land of Canaan. The book shows the reality of God’s presence with Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire over the tabernacle. It also shows how Israel’s unbelief delays the entry into Canaan and costs many lives. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, Israel is ready to enter the land.

Key Themes

There were four elements to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3, and they all play a role in Numbers:

  1. The land. Numbers describes Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land.
  2. Descendants. Abraham had been promised that his descendants would be as many as the stars of heaven (Gen. 15:5). Jacob’s family consisted of just 70 persons when he entered Egypt (Gen. 46:27). Now they had increased immensely. The first census (Num. 1:1–46) showed that the fighting men numbered 603,550. That did not include women and children. Surveying their camp from a hilltop, Balaam declared, “Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel?” (23:10). Balaam went on to predict that Israel would become a powerful kingdom in its own right: “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (24:17).
  3. Covenant relationship with God. The essence of the covenant was, “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” The Lord’s presence with Israel is constantly highlighted throughout the book of Numbers.
  4. Blessing to the nations. This is the aspect of the promises to Abraham that is least apparent in Numbers. To a greater or lesser degree, the nations that Israel encounters are all hostile. Nevertheless Balaam recalls the phrasing of Genesis 12:3 when he says, “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you” (Num. 24:9). Nations who treat Israel generously by blessing her will themselves be blessed.

Outline

Numbers consists of three major blocks of material describing the events and laws associated with three centers where Israel encamped for a significant time. These centers are Sinai (chs. 1–10), Kadesh (chs. 13–19), and the plains of Moab (chs. 22–36). They are linked by two short travelogues recording what occurred as Israel journeyed from one camp to the next.

  1. Israel Prepares to Enter the Land (1:1–10:10)
  2. Marching from Sinai to Kadesh (10:11–12:16)
  3. Forty Years near Kadesh (13:1–19:22)
  4. Marching from Kadesh to the Plains of Moab (20:1–21:35)
  5. Israel in the Plains of Moab (22:1–36:13)

Journeys in the Wilderness

c. 1446 B.C.

The book of Numbers details the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness as they journeyed from Mount Sinai to Canaan. As with the exodus, it is difficult to establish the exact route that the Israelites took, but it is generally believed that they headed east from Mount Sinai until they reached the Red Sea, where they turned northward to the top of the gulf and on to Kadesh-barnea.

Journeys in the Wilderness

The Global Message of Numbers

The Global Message of Numbers

Numbers in Redemptive History

The modern title of the book of Numbers is probably one reason that the church often neglects this important part of Scripture. The title, together with a first reading of its early chapters, may mislead the reader into believing that the book is primarily a detailed census of the population of Israel. The original Hebrew title of the book, however, is “In the Wilderness,” and this accurately describes the essence of the book. The original purpose of Numbers was to warn the second generation of Israel not to lapse into the rebellion and unbelief of their first-generation parents, lest they also perish in judgment in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. Yet its deeper purpose was to encourage them that the Lord was with them, and that he intended to fulfill his promise to their father Abraham to give his descendants the land and through them to bless the nations.

Numbers thus has something to say to Christians all around the globe today, for this book advances the history of redemption for all peoples—the story of salvation that began in Eden, was given as a solemn promise in Genesis 12:1–3, and which we see finally accomplished in Revelation 21–22.

Conquest of the Promised Land

In Numbers, Moses seeks to encourage the second generation of Israelites to advance to the Promised Land by faith and begin the war to take possession of it. This will be a holy war. The Israelite camp houses a holy army, for the Lord dwells at the center of the camp and has ordered its military configuration and census. The camp itself is arranged in three concentric circles (or squares), from greater to lesser holiness. The holy tabernacle sits at the center. The Levites, encamped immediately around the tabernacle, provide a protective space between it and the rest of the camp. The twelve tribes surround them as the outermost ring. As Israel prepares to set off from Mount Sinai toward Canaan, the tabernacle becomes the royal traveling tent of a King on the march to retake what is rightfully his. The camp is a holy army preparing for war to take the Promised Land by conquest.

Tested in the Wilderness

Israel’s wilderness wandering can be seen as an “already–not yet” stage in redemptive history. Israel had already experienced God’s salvation in their exodus deliverance from Egypt, but they had not yet obtained the Promised Land. The wilderness becomes the place of testing. When Israel first entered the wilderness, the Lord gave them manna from heaven, not merely to provide for their needs but also that “I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not” (Ex. 16:4; compare 20:20). The wilderness was no easy stretch of land through which to journey. Hot and dry, it offered no shelter from the sweltering heat. Like much of the world today, the wilderness was barren, harsh, windswept, and inhospitable. Plants did not grow, and humans struggled to survive. God intended the wilderness to function as a test for his people, to reveal whether their faith was genuine or not. Those with genuine faith persevered with the Lord through the hardships and trials; those who did not trust the Lord fell away into apostasy and rebellion.

Universal Themes in Numbers

Abrahamic, messianic, and new creational themes are all seen in Balaam’s oracles (Numbers 23–24). Genesis 12:3 and 49:9 are echoed in Numbers 24:9. Israel is reaffirmed as the bearer of a messianic hope and the channel through which the Abrahamic promise will be realized and the nations of the world blessed. The messianic promise from Genesis 49:9 of an ultimate king of the nations from the line of Judah is picked up and expounded (Num. 23:21, 24; 24:7, 9, 17–19). This king will bear Israel’s vocation upon his shoulders and will fulfill the Abrahamic promise. Through him the world will be blessed and the curses of Genesis 3 will be overcome (see “The Global Message of Genesis”; compare Ps. 72:17). He will rule over the world as the king of Israel, depicted in a vision as an Eden-paradise-kingdom (Num. 24:3–7). All these hopes are finally fulfilled in Jesus

The Global Message of Numbers for Today

Murmuring rather than trusting. Grumbling plagues the global church today as it always has. Complaining when circumstances are difficult, when leaders appear ineffective, or when resources are scarce may seem like the normal and even right thing to do. The book of Numbers warns, however, that grumbling is taken by the Creator-King as treason. Whenever Israel murmured, God’s anger was roused and he broke out in judgment against them (Num. 11:1–3, 33–34; 12:10–16; 14:20–23, 27–38; 16:20–35, 46–50; 20:12; 21:6–9). The Lord had set out to test Israel, but Israel tested him instead—ten times (14:22). For their stubborn rebellion, the first generation’s bodies were strewn across the desert, and they never saw or entered the Promised Land.

The global church must recognize that grumbling, murmuring, and complaining all flow out of a lack of trust in the promises of its covenant Lord. By covenant, the Lord had become Israel’s God and had promised to provide for their needs and protect them. He had also sworn to bring them to the Promised Land, assuring them that it was “flowing with milk and honey”—far better than slavery in Egypt. The people, however, did not trust these promises. Their murmuring reflected the deeper issue of unbelieving hearts. Grumbling, complaining, and murmuring by the church is rebellion against Christ and reveals unbelief in the promises of God. Paul warns the church against such murmuring (Phil. 2:14–15).

Adversity in the wilderness. In 1 Corinthians 10:1–13, Paul refers to several events in Israel’s journey through the wilderness. He sees the church as being “in the wilderness,” on its way to a Promised Land, having been freed from slavery in an exodus deliverance (see 1 Cor. 5:7). God had tested his people Israel by the difficulties of the wilderness, in order to see if they would trust and obey him in the midst of adverse circumstances. Likewise, the span between the first and second comings of Christ can be seen as the church’s own wilderness journey. In his first coming, Christ delivered his people in the exodus deliverance of the cross; at his return, Christ will usher the church into the new creation, the true and final Promised Land. The wilderness march of Israel serves as a pattern of the church’s own wilderness march (1 Cor. 10:11).

Our march through this wilderness is not easy, nor does God intend it to be. It is a time of difficulty and suffering. It is a time of testing, to distinguish between those who profess faith in Christ and persevere in obedience to him (thus revealing genuine faith) and those who profess faith yet fall away in apostasy (revealing lack of true saving faith). Through difficult circumstances, the church must trust Christ as we march homeward. Christ has promised to every believer who overcomes the wilderness of this world the privilege “to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7). He has assured the church that he will bring her safely home to this Promised Land. This is indescribably better than any pleasures that the fallen world may offer (Heb. 11:24–26).

Numbers Fact #1: Where do the events in Numbers take place?

Fact: Where do the events in Numbers take place?

Where do the events in Numbers take place? Chapters 1–9 take place near Mount Sinai. In chs. 10–12 the people travel to Kadesh, where they will spend the next 40 years (chs. 13–19). Next they journey toward Canaan (chs. 20–21), and in the final chapters of Numbers (22–36) they camp in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from the Promised Land.

Numbers Fact #4: Symbols of holiness

Fact: Symbols of holiness

Symbols of holiness are found all throughout Numbers. The tabernacle objects that were farther from the presence of God in the Most Holy Place could be made of ordinary materials like bronze. Within the Most Holy Place, everything was overlaid with pure gold.

Numbers Fact #17: The bronze serpent

Fact: The bronze serpent

The bronze serpent. When the people of Israel looked upon the serpent in order to live (21:9), it was a prophetic picture of the day when believers would look to the crucified Christ for salvation (John 3:14–15).

Journeys in the Wilderness

Journeys in the Wilderness

c. 1446 B.C.

The book of Numbers details the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness as they journeyed from Mount Sinai to Canaan. As with the exodus, it is difficult to establish the exact route that the Israelites took, but it is generally believed that they headed east from Mount Sinai until they reached the Red Sea, where they turned northward to the top of the gulf and on to Kadesh-barnea.

Journeys in the Wilderness

The Journey to Canaan

The Journey to Canaan

After many years of wandering in the wilderness as a consequence of their sin, the Israelites set out from Kadesh-barnea toward the Promised Land. It is difficult to know for certain the exact route they took from Kadesh-barnea to the plains of Moab, but it is possible that they followed a course that went around the lands of Edom and Moab along a desert route, after being refused passage through those lands—or they may have taken another route, through the heart of Edom and Moab along the King’s Highway.

The Journey to Canaan

Parallels between Exodus and Numbers

Parallels between Exodus and Numbers

Ex. 18:1 Advice from Moses’ father-in-law Advice from Moses’ father-in-law Num. 10:29
Ex. 15:22 Three-day journey to Sinai Three-day journey from Sinai Num. 10:33
Ex. 15:22–26 Complaint about water Unspecified complaint Num. 11:1–3
Exodus 16 Manna and quail Manna and quail Num. 11:4–15, 31–35
Exodus 18 Leaders appointed to assist Moses Leaders appointed to assist Moses Num. 11:16–30
Ex. 15:20–21 Miriam’s song of praise Miriam and Aaron rebel Numbers 12
Ex. 17:8–16 Israel defeats Amalek Israel defeated by Amalek Num. 14:39–45
Ex. 17:1–7 Water from rock Water from rock Num. 20:1–13
Ex. 32:6 People sacrifice to other gods People sacrifice to other gods Num. 25:2
Ex. 32:27 Killing of apostates demanded Killing of apostates demanded Num. 25:5
Ex. 32:28–29 Levites’ status enhanced Levites’ (Phinehas’s) status enhanced Num. 25:6–13
Ex. 32:35 Plague on the people Plague on the people Num. 25:9
Study Notes

Num. 21:4–9 The people once again grumble about their food. They are punished by poisonous snake bites.

Num. 21:9 bronze serpent. The Hebrew term translated “bronze” can also mean “copper” (see ESV footnote). The redness of copper suggests atonement (see 19:1–10). Jesus compares his own death on the cross to the uplifted serpent (John 3:14–15). By the time of King Hezekiah of Judah (c. 715 B.C.), this copper serpent had become an object of worship among the Israelites (2 Kings 18:4).

Numbers Fact #17: The bronze serpent

Fact: The bronze serpent

The bronze serpent. When the people of Israel looked upon the serpent in order to live (21:9), it was a prophetic picture of the day when believers would look to the crucified Christ for salvation (John 3:14–15).

John 3:14-21

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 1 3:15 Some interpreters hold that the quotation ends at verse 15

For God So Loved the World

16 For God so loved the world, 2 3:16 Or For this is how God loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Footnotes

[1] 3:15 Some interpreters hold that the quotation ends at verse 15
[2] 3:16 Or For this is how God loved the world
Table of Contents
Introduction to John

Introduction to John

Timeline

Author, Date, and Recipients

John the son of Zebedee wrote this Gospel. He was a Palestinian Jew, one of the 12 disciples, and a member of Jesus’ inner apostolic circle. He was referred to as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (13:23). John also wrote 1–3 John and Revelation. He likely wrote his Gospel account between A.D. 70 (the date of the destruction of the temple) and A.D. 100 (the reputed end of John’s life). It was likely written from Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire at the time. His original audience consisted of Jews and Gentiles living in the larger Greco-Roman world in Ephesus and beyond, toward the close of the first century A.D.

Theme and Purpose

The theme of John’s Gospel is that Jesus is the long-awaited, promised Messiah and Son of God. By believing in Jesus, people have eternal life (see 20:30–31).

As evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, John relies on several selected messianic signs performed by Jesus and a series of witnesses to Jesus. These include the Scriptures, John the Baptist, Jesus himself, God the Father, Jesus’ miraculous works, the Holy Spirit, and John himself.

Key Themes

  1. Jesus. Jesus is God, the “I am.” He existed before the creation of the world, and he has supernatural knowledge. He fulfills the Jewish festivals and institutions. As the sent Son of God, he reflects the Sender. Signs and witnesses demonstrate that he is the Messiah.
  2. The Trinity. Father, Son, and Spirit are united in their work of revelation and redemption.
  3. Salvation. God is sovereign in salvation. Jesus’ death is the basis of salvation, which is obtained through believing in the living Jesus as the Son of God
  4. Eternal Life. Jesus is the giver of eternal life. Believers can experience some of salvation’s benefits during this present evil age.
  5. Mission. Believers are called to continue Jesus’ mission.

Outline

  1. Prologue: The Incarnate Word (1:1–18)
  2. Signs of the Messiah, with Teaching about Life in Him (1:19–12:50)
  3. The Farewell Teaching and the Passion Narrative (13:1–20:31)
  4. Epilogue: The Roles of Peter and of the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (21:1–25)

The Setting of John

The events of the Gospel of John take place in Palestine, incorporated into the Roman Empire in 63 B.C. Appointed by the Romans as king over the Jews in 37 B.C., Herod the Great ruled until his death in 4 B.C. The Romans divided his kingdom among his descendants.

The Setting of John

The Global Message of John

The Global Message of John

The Gospel of John presents Christ as the longed for Messiah and Son of God, who comes to earth as a Jew to restore God’s covenant people. Yet the very people who ought to have embraced their Messiah rejected him: “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). But many people did believe in him, and “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (1:12).

By believing in him, all people everywhere in the world, whatever their ethnic background, may enjoy life—true life, eternal life—in the name of Jesus (20:31).

John and Redemptive History

At the beginning of time, the word of God brought light and life out of nothing as the created order sprang into being. Writing his account of the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the apostle John uses precisely these themes. “In the beginning,” John writes (John 1:1), using the same opening words as Genesis 1. John then speaks of the Word of God, in whom is light and life (1:4–5). Yet this Word was not simply God’s uttered speech but the Word that “became flesh” (1:14). God came to earth to dwell with us so that we could one day dwell with him.

Indeed, this Word has “dwelt” among us, John says—using a Greek verb that means, literally, “tabernacled” among us. Jesus, in other words, is the true and final temple (see John 2:18–22). He is the one in and through whom God once more dwells with mankind—making possible the very restoration between heaven and earth that the tabernacle and the temple anticipated.

In Christ, the entire Old Testament drama is summed up and fulfilled. Jesus is not merely one more wise prophet or godly king. He is the Prophet and the King whom every preceding prophet and king foreshadows. All of redemptive history climaxes in Christ. He is the true bread from heaven, not the temporary manna that rots away (John 6:31–51). He is the good shepherd, unlike the many shepherds who failed to lead Israel as they should have (10:1–18). He is the fulfillment of the Jewish festivals and other institutions (1:29, 36; 2:21; 4:23–24; 8:12; 9:5; 19:14). He is the one who reveals the Father, so that to see him is to see God himself (1:14; 14:6–11).

Jesus brings eternal life to all who receive him, not just to ethnic Israel (John 1:11–13). Although he didn’t realize what he was saying, Caiaphas the high priest uttered prophetic words about Jesus: “It is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (11:50). The irony was that Jesus would in fact die in place of the people. And as John goes on to explain, Jesus would die not only in place of the Jews but in place of his own people from all the nations of the world: “He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (11:51–52). The gospel is for any who believe in Christ (20:23).

Universal Themes in John

The surprising welcome of Gentiles. Right from the start of John’s Gospel we learn that the Jews generally rejected Christ and that God was extending his grace to any who would receive him (John 1:11–13). Then, early in Christ’s ministry, John tells about Jesus extending grace to a sinful Samaritan woman, who was obviously an outsider. Thereafter in John’s Gospel we see hostility toward Jesus on the part of the very people who ought to have understood and embraced him—his own fellow Jews (5:16–18; 6:41; 7:1; 8:59; 9:22; 10:31; 18:12). Instead, it is mostly Gentiles who love and trust Jesus (4:28–29, 39). The free gift of eternal life is for the whole world (3:16). Jesus will draw “all people” to himself (12:32).

Christ’s extension of his worldwide mission through his disciples. Jesus was sent to earth on a mission by God the Father, and in glad response Jesus sends his disciples out on a mission to the world, empowered by the Spirit: “As you sent me into the world,” Jesus prays to his Father, “so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18; compare 4:38; 15:16; 20:21–23). Christians from that time on, down to the present day, have acted as the hands and feet of Jesus as they have proclaimed the good news of salvation throughout the world.

God’s concern for the world. The word “world” (Greek kosmos, from which we get our English word “cosmos”) occurs 186 times in the New Testament, and 78 of these occurrences are in John’s Gospel. The meaning of this word in John’s Gospel shifts slightly from one passage to the next. Sometimes it refers to the realm of darkness and sin (John 7:7; 12:31; 14:30; 17:16; 18:36). More often, however, the “world” in John simply refers to all the people who live on this planet. John tells us many times of God’s loving, saving attitude toward the whole world (1:29; 3:16–17; 4:42; 6:33; 12:47).

The Global Message of John for Today

The Gospel of John awakens Christians around the globe today to the cosmic scope of salvation in Christ, and the eternal scope of God’s work in accomplishing this salvation, beginning in eternity past (John 1:1–3; 8:58).

In John we see Christ reversing the curse of the fall as, for example, he heals the lame (John 5:1–9) or the blind (9:1–7). Jesus cares deeply about the physical results of living in a fallen world. Indeed, when his friend Lazarus dies, Jesus weeps (11:35). As those who have been entrusted through his Spirit with carrying on the work of Christ, we as the global church likewise seek to help those who are suffering. Such compassion is the only appropriate way to respond to the compassion we ourselves have received from God in Christ.

Yet the deepest result of the fall is not the woundedness of our bodies but the woundedness of our souls. The great apostolic commission was not to bring physical comfort but to bring forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name (John 20:22–23). Jesus gives living water, water that becomes “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (4:14). He is the bread of life—the nourishing sustenance that all people most deeply need (6:35). In him is life itself (1:4).

The global message of John for today’s church is to trust in Christ. Believe in him. Nourish yourself in him. Find life in him. And spread that life to everyone around you in your own little corner of the world.

John Fact #9: So that you may believe

Fact: So that you may believe

John wrote his Gospel “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:30). In 8:24, Jesus tells his listeners that faith in him is the only way to find life (see 3:15–16; 11:25).

Numbers Fact #17: The bronze serpent

Fact: The bronze serpent

The bronze serpent. When the people of Israel looked upon the serpent in order to live (21:9), it was a prophetic picture of the day when believers would look to the crucified Christ for salvation (John 3:14–15).

John Fact #4: Born-again Christian

Fact: Born-again Christian

The phrase born-again Christian originally comes from 3:1–8. Jesus uses the image of a second birth to explain what happens to believers at conversion. The Holy Spirit cleanses them from sin and makes them new in Christ.

The Work of the Trinity

The Work of the Trinity

Though the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, by presenting the Father, Son, and Spirit together, all doing what no one else ever does, the Gospel of John gives us the foundation on which this doctrine is based. Observing what God says and does helps us to know him, and observing which actions are done by which members of the Godhead helps us to see which roles they play.

Action Father Son Spirit
Give life 5:21, 26; (6:33); 17:3 5:21, 25–26, 40; 6:33; 17:3 3:6, 8; 6:63
Proclaim future 1:33 13:19, 26, 36–38; 14:3, 29; 16:1–4, 16–28, 32; 20:18 16:13
Indwell believers 14:23 14:20, 23; (15:4–7); 17:23, 26 14:17
Teach 6:45; 7:16, 17; 8:28 7:14; (8:2); 8:20; 13:13–14 14:26
Testify to Jesus 5:32, 37; 6:27; 8:18 8:12–14, 18 15:26
Glorify Jesus 5:22–23; 8:50, 54; 13:31–32; 17:1, 22 (1:14); 2:11; 13:31–32; 17:5, 24 16:14

Actions Common to Father and Son

Action Father Son
Glorify the Father 4:23; 12:28; 13:31–32 (2:16); (9:3–4); 11:40; 12:28; 13:31–32; 14:13; 17:1, 4–5
Give the Spirit 3:34; 14:16 (4:10–14); (7:37–39); 20:22
Send the Spirit 14:26 15:26; 16:7

Actions Common to Son and Spirit

Action Son Spirit
Be given by the Father 3:16 (4:10–14); 14:16
Be sent by the Father 3:17; 4:34; 5:23–24, 36; 6:29, 57; 7:28–29, 33; 8:16, 26, 29, 42; 9:4; 10:36; 11:42; 12:44–45; 13:20; 15:21; 17:3, 8, 18, 23, 25; 20:21 14:26; 15:26
Speak not from himself (5:19); 5:30; (6:38); 7:16; 12:49–50 16:13
Speak only what he hears 3:32; (3:34); (5:30); 8:26, 40; 12:50; 15:15 16:13
Convict 3:19–20; 4:16, 18; (5:27); (8:7); 8:34, 40; 11:40; 12:7–8; 13:8 16:7–11
Be received 1:12 (see 1:10–11) 7:39 (see 14:17)
Disclose what belongs to God 1:18 16:13–14
Physical Items Used by Jesus to Teach Spiritual Truths

Physical Items Used by Jesus to Teach Spiritual Truths

Though often misunderstood by Jesus’ hearers, these tangible metaphors explain the gospel.

Physical Item Spiritual Truth References
Light true knowledge and presence of God; moral purity 1:4–5, 7–9; 3:19–21; 8:12; 9:5; 11:9–10; 12:35–36, 46; see 1 John 2:8–10
Jerusalem temple Christ’s physical body 2:19–22
Physical birth spiritual birth: being “born again” 1:13; 3:3–8; see 6:63; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 18
Wind the Holy Spirit 3:8
Water the Holy Spirit within believers 4:7–15; 7:37–39; see 1 John 5:6, 8
Food doing the will of God 4:31–34
Bread Jesus himself, his life and death 6:32–51, 58
Flesh and blood Jesus’ death 6:53–56; see 1 John 1:7; 5:6, 8
Door path to eternal life in Jesus 10:1–9
Shepherd Jesus’ self-sacrifice and care for his people 10:11–18, 26–28; 21:15–17
Vine Jesus in relationship to his followers 15:1–11
Cup God’s wrath toward sin 18:11
Breath the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples 20:22
Witnesses to Jesus

Witnesses to Jesus

1. John the Baptist 5:32–36; see 1:7–8, 15, 19, 32–34; 3:26
2. Jesus’ own works 5:36; see 10:25, 32, 37–38; 15:24
3. God the Father 5:37–38; 8:18
4. The Scriptures, especially by Moses 5:39, 45–47
5. Jesus himself 3:11, 32; 8:14, 18; 18:37
6. The Spirit 14:26; 15:26; 16:8–11, 13–14
7. The disciples, especially John 15:27; 19:35; 21:24
Nicodemus

Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the powerful Jewish governing body, the Sanhedrin. He had seen the signs performed by Jesus and recognized that God was with him. Possibly to avoid being seen by his peers, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to speak with him. Although he was a “teacher of Israel” (3:10) and knew the OT Scriptures, Nico­demus was mystified when Jesus told him that he must be born again. It was while talking with Nicodemus that Jesus made the statement recorded in 3:16, perhaps the most well-known summary of the gospel in all of Scripture. The Bible does not say whether Nicodemus responded to the gospel on this occasion. Later, however, Nicodemus defended Jesus when others wanted to arrest him (7:50–52). After Jesus’ death on the cross, Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial (19:39–40). (John 3:1–21)

Study Notes

John 3:14 lifted up. The first of three “lifted up” sayings in John (see also 8:28; 12:32). All three have a double meaning (see notes on 4:10; 8:24; 19:19), referring to both Jesus’ death and his resurrection and exaltation. serpent in the wilderness. See Num. 21:9.

Study Notes
Numbers Fact #17: The bronze serpent

Fact: The bronze serpent

The bronze serpent. When the people of Israel looked upon the serpent in order to live (21:9), it was a prophetic picture of the day when believers would look to the crucified Christ for salvation (John 3:14–15).

Study Notes

John 3:16 For connects to v. 15 and explains what happened to make it possible that someone can “have eternal life” (v. 15). God so loved the world. God’s love for “the world” made it possible for “whoever” (v. 15) believes in Christ, not just Jews alone, to have eternal life. gave his only Son. God sent Jesus to earth as a man (v. 17) to suffer and die and thereby bear the penalty for sins (see note on 1 John 2:2; see Rom. 3:25). On “only Son,” see note on John 1:14. whoever believes in him. That is, whoever personally trusts in him (see note on 11:25). Not perish means not perish in eternal judgment. eternal life. The life of abundant joy and blessing in the presence of God forever, which a believer begins to experience during earthly life.

John Fact #9: So that you may believe

Fact: So that you may believe

John wrote his Gospel “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:30). In 8:24, Jesus tells his listeners that faith in him is the only way to find life (see 3:15–16; 11:25).

Study Notes

John 3:17 send his Son. See also vv. 34–36; 5:19–26; 6:40; 8:35–36; 14:13; 17:1. It was a common idea in Jewish thought that the messenger is like the sender himself (see 13:20). Being sent implies that the message is given by the sender. This verse refers to Christ’s first coming. He will return to judge the world at his second coming (5:27–29).

Study Notes

John 3:18 Those who do not believe in Christ do not have a neutral standing before God. They stand condemned already. This refutes the idea that a sincere person following any religion can have eternal life (see 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5–6).

Study Notes

John 3:19–21 loved the darkness. See 1:5, 10–11.

See chart See chart
Physical Items Used by Jesus to Teach Spiritual Truths

Physical Items Used by Jesus to Teach Spiritual Truths

Though often misunderstood by Jesus’ hearers, these tangible metaphors explain the gospel.

Physical Item Spiritual Truth References
Light true knowledge and presence of God; moral purity 1:4–5, 7–9; 3:19–21; 8:12; 9:5; 11:9–10; 12:35–36, 46; see 1 John 2:8–10
Jerusalem temple Christ’s physical body 2:19–22
Physical birth spiritual birth: being “born again” 1:13; 3:3–8; see 6:63; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 18
Wind the Holy Spirit 3:8
Water the Holy Spirit within believers 4:7–15; 7:37–39; see 1 John 5:6, 8
Food doing the will of God 4:31–34
Bread Jesus himself, his life and death 6:32–51, 58
Flesh and blood Jesus’ death 6:53–56; see 1 John 1:7; 5:6, 8
Door path to eternal life in Jesus 10:1–9
Shepherd Jesus’ self-sacrifice and care for his people 10:11–18, 26–28; 21:15–17
Vine Jesus in relationship to his followers 15:1–11
Cup God’s wrath toward sin 18:11
Breath the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples 20:22

Listen to the Podcast

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Numbers 21:9

God's desire is, and always has been, to have a relationship with His children. But there's a problem highlighted in John 3:19-20—we're sinful. How can sinful people have a relationship with a perfect God? All of us have darkness within us, whether we know it or not. And because of that darkness, we stand condemned before God. Our sins have placed us on one side of a chasm with God on the other. No matter how hard we try, we are powerless to close the gap between us. 

But God, because of His love, closed the gap for us. He sent His Son so that we might have life. He made a way for our relationship with Him to be restored by putting our faith in Jesus. And just as the Israelites were saved by putting their faith in the way God provided in Numbers 21, we also are saved by putting our faith in the Way God has provided (John 14:6).

So, as believers, where do we go from here? You've accepted Jesus' payment for your sins. What now? We get our marching orders from 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, ". . . in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself . . . and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." Accepting Jesus' payment isn't simply a free ticket into heaven; it's accepting an invitation to join His mission to seek and save the lost.

The world needs Jesus. He came not to condemn the world but to save it, and He has extended this invitation of eternal life to whoever would believe. As Christ's ambassadors, we are His official representatives in a foreign land. How we live, what we do and say, and the way we treat others all reflect on Jesus to the world around us. They will learn about our King by the way we represent Him, and it is our responsibility to live in a way that implores them on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.

This month's memory verse

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

– Romans 5:8

Discussion Questions

For those of you who are new to Christianity or exploring Christianity:

1. Have you put your faith in Jesus' death and resurrection as a substitutionary payment for your sins? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step?

2. God specifically loves YOU! What are your thoughts when you hear that God loves you? 

3. What are your thoughts when you hear that you need a Savior?

4. Do you believe God's invitation for eternal life, and life to the fullest here on earth, is open to you? Read Romans 8:31-39 and ask God to help you believe that nothing you have ever done or will ever do could make God stop loving you.

For those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior:

1. How are you doing as an ambassador of Christ? Is your life drawing people closer to Jesus or pushing them further away? Think about the way you conduct yourself at work, the way you treat people who can't do anything for you, the way you interact with your spouse, kids, roommates, coworkers, etc.

2. Remember that we all used to be lovers of darkness, but we are now called the light of the world because of what Jesus has done for us (Matthew 5:14-16). What are you doing, or could you start doing, to help show others around you that Jesus can do for them what He did for you?

3. Ask God to put someone on your heart to whom you can be a light this week.

4. When was the last time you spent time praising God specifically for Jesus? Take time to do that now and think through what rhythms you can build into your life to make this a daily habit.

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

MS

Michael Sisson

Re: Num 21:9; Jn 3:14 Numbers 21:9 (NASB) And Moses made a >>>bronze serpent<<< and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the >>>bronze serpent<<<, he lived. John 3:14 (NASB) “As Moses lifted up the >>>serpent<<< in the wilderness, even so must >>>the Son of Man be lifted up;<<< Got Questions asserts, “There is no connection between this serpent [Num 21:9] and the serpent which Satan spoke through in the Garden of Eden.” https://www.gotquestions.org/bronze-serpent.html I beg to differ. There IS a connection. Both serpents reflect man’s rejection of G-d’s provision…particularly G-d’s provision embodied in the Despised Messiah, Who is Yeshua (Jesus). Satan has no identity to call his own. Like the rest of creation, his identity is wrapped up in the Messiah (Col 1:16). Consequently, we see Satan (Rev 12:9; Rev 20:2) in the Garden of Eden coming to Eve as a serpent to lead mankind to question G-d’s goodness, to reject G-d’s authority, and to reject His ultimate provision through Yeshua, the Despised Messiah (Isa 49:7; Isa 53:3). Satan taking the form of a serpent merely reflects his role in inviting mankind to unbelief. In Numbers 21:6-9, again the people are questioning G-d’s goodness and grumbling against His provision. They’re sinning in their unbelief. The people’s rejection of G-d and His provision is reflected in the “nachash“ (“serpents” or “shiny ones”) which afflict them. However, G-d providentially knows His provision of the Messiah Whom the world will reject, the Despised Messiah, will be our ultimate healing. Thus, in a bit of divine foreshadowing, He instructs Moses to erect a bronze serpent on a staff, and to call the people to look upon this type of the Despised Messiah for their healing (Num 21:8-9). John 3:14 later confirms the bronze serpent’s anti-type (Messiah Yeshua) when it alludes to Yeshua’s impending Crucifixion as a prophetic fulfillment of Moses’ serpent on a staff. “The word for ‘bronze’ or ‘copper’ in Hebrew is nechoshet (נְחֹשֶׁת) , which carries the Hebrew root nachash (נָחָשׁ) , which means ‘serpent.’ The kabbalists noted that the numerical value of both Hebrew words nachash (serpent, נחש) and mashiach (Messiah, משיח) is 358. They interpreted this to mean that the ‘holy serpent’ (the Messiah) will ultimately destroy the ‘evil serpent’ (Satan).” — First Fruits of Zion
MS

Michael Scaman

He is rise indeed! Imagine Nicodemus hearing for the first time. Already confused about what he sees. We see you are a teacher sent from God An idea challenged by Jesus with no one can see te Kingdom of heaven unless they are born again You cannot see it unless you are changed and born again How can this be? A changed heart will see this: Moses lifts up. A gift given from heaven. The son of man like a branz serpent of healing. The Son of God a gift believed on for eternal life. A singular son of man. A singular Son of God the same. Who has a gift given will be seen by the hearts exposed. Do they Love the darkess or love the light Lets make a song about this as if by Matt Boswell, a DFW pastor, musician Title: Eyes opened to "see" the Kingdom of heaven as if in the style of Matt Boswell (of Matt Matt and Matt) Nicodemus crept, in night's shroud he tread, Longing for truth, with questions in his head. Baffled by Jesus, a teacher so rare, Challenging norms, with divine flair. (Chorus) Picture Nicodemus, in the dark's embrace, Encountering truths that rearrange his space. "How can one be reborn?" he ponders in the night, To "see" the kingdom's brilliance, radiant and bright. (Verse 2) Like Moses' serpent, raised on high, A symbol of hop and healing, against the darkened sky. So the Son of Man, lifted up for all to see, Bringing eternal life, coming down setting hearts free. (Bridge) A gift from above, wrapped in love's embrace, The Son of God, embodying eternal grace. A surprise to learn the Son of Man lifted up and Son of God, a gift come down, are one and the same , Opening the eyes fo the heart, igniting the flame. (Outro) Let hearts be laid bare, in darkness' cruel plight, Loving shadows or basking in light. Imagine Nicodemus, struck by newfound sight, As the eternal dawn breaks in his heart, dispelling his night.
MS

Michael Scaman

There are many enemies of God listed in Psalms leading to Psalm 87 The surprise is Psalm 87 has 'glorious tings of thee are spoken" speaking to Zion city of God and the glorious things begin by the enemies of God being as if being "born" in Jerusalem. And being born again in Christ this is possible.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. Good. A lot of people seem to be moving closer to Jesus. 2. I believe it is always best to be positive in everything. I try to support the strengths of others so they will use them wisely. 3. Prayer: God, let me be a light for others, representing your values and your ways. May I help others believe in you and believe in your son Jesus. Amen. 4. Prayer: God, thank you for sharing your son Jesus with everyone. Thank you for letting us celebrate Him and all He has ever done. May we honor Him during Easter and in all the days which follow. Amen. Matt - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You make an excellent point in saying, “The world needs Jesus. He came not to condemn the world but to save it, and He has extended this invitation of eternal life to whoever would believe”. Jesus believes in us, and we should believe in Him.