THE MISSION

John 3:14-18 NKJV 

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

 Nicodemus was a ruler of the Pharisees who came to Jesus at night. He had something on his heart that he wanted to talk to Jesus about. He came at night so he would not get in trouble with the other Pharisees. As a leader, Nicodemus couldn't be seen talking to Jesus, so he was taking a risk. 

Nicodemus knew there was something about Jesus. He knew that Jesus was no ordinary man. And Jesus began to talk with him about spiritual things. About the importance of the spiritual rebirth that would take place. Of being born not just naturally but also being born spiritually. This third chapter is an important chapter that gives us insight as to what takes place in the lives of all those who believe in Jesus. 

Starting in verse 14, Jesus lays out a big part of His mission in coming to the earth. He refers to an Old Testament example of Moses lifting up the snake on the pole. This was when the nation of Israel was dealing with snakes that came into their camp. People were dying from snakebites, and God instructed Moses to make a brass snake on a pole. Everyone who looked at the snake would live. It's an amazing story found in Numbers 21. Jesus was saying that just as the bronze snake was lifted up on the pole, so would He be lifted up on the cross. And all who look to Him for salvation will live spiritually. 

Jesus then repeats Himself in verses 15-16. When He states that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life, this eternal life is eternal spiritual life, the life of God when a person is born of the Spirit (vs. 8). Eternal life is not limited to heaven when you die. Eternal life is something we receive when we receive the Lord as our Savior. 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This is one of the best known verses in the Bible, especially in evangelical circles. Love motivated God to send Jesus. That whoever believes on Jesus would have this spiritual life that never fades out or ends. No having to work our way to God. No having to earn His love. Simply believing in Jesus and what He has done for us. 

Verse 16 is one of the most famous verses, and deservedly so. But we almost skip over verse 17. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." We should not separate verses 16 and 17; they go together. Love was the reason God sent Jesus. And the purpose was so that the world might be saved. The purpose was salvation, not condemnation. Jesus came to save, not to condemn the world. Oh, and He could have condemned the world for their sin and defiance toward God. But that was not His mission. His mission was salvation. What love! What mercy! What amazing grace! 

APPLICATION 

We must always remind ourselves of Christ's mission. He came to save the world, not condemn it. That is our mission today. The world is already condemned according to Jesus in verse 18. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to tell the world that there is salvation and forgiveness in Jesus. Not to all those who get their lives cleaned up but to those who come to Him in simple faith and a humble heart. After receiving Him and everlasting life, then we start the process of cleaning out our old ways and walking with Him in this new spiritual life. 

In a year when Satan would love to cause further division in our nation and in our churches, let's keep the mission the main thing. At The Ark, we are here for the saving of households. People in darkness need the love and light of God in their lives. That's why Jesus came, and that's why we are here. 

PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and for sending Your Son so that I might have everlasting life. Thank You that Jesus did not condemn me for my sins but saved me from my sins. Thank You!