John 3:14 (NASB95)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to go to the cross? It is a good question. It can also be a mind blowing question. One reason Jesus went to the cross is found in this verse for today. The reason Jesus went to the cross is so that we will discover our need.
Jesus uses an Old Testament illustration from the Exodus. Do you remember the story. The Isrealites had sinned again and the consequences of that sin was snakes. Serpents came from everywhere and when they would bite the people they would die. Moses cries out to God for help. God tells Moses to make a serpent and place it on a pole. When anyone was biten by a snake if they would look to the serpent on the pole they would be healed.
Why did God give this consequence? Because He wanted the Isrealites to realize the severity of thier sin, the cost of disobedience and that salvation or healing comes only from Him.
When Jesus went to the cross there was a similiar lesson to be learned. When we think of Jesus on the cross it should help us to realize that sin has severe consequences. It seperates us from God and if left to our own resources and answers we will die in our sin and spend eternity seperated from God in Hell. When we think of Jesus on the cross it reminds us that the cost of our sin is pain, suffering and death. When think of Jesus on the cross it reminds us that only Jesus has the ability to pay our debt and save us from our sin. Salvation can come only through Him.
I hope that this week as every Christ follower looks toward Easter (Resurrection Sunday) we will be reminded of our great need and that Jesus has stepped in to save us when we could not save ourselves.
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