John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus was confused and I don’t blame Him.

John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Jesus told Old Nic what had to happen but did not explain how it would happen.

Jesus explains, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

This probably confused Nicodemus more than ever. The serpent represents Satan, sin incarnate, how could the Son of Man become a serpent on a cross? Even if He could, how did that lead to eternal life? Obviously having just one or two pieces of the puzzle does not complete the picture needed to see what has to be done. At his point if Nicodemus were to believe Jesus, he would not be saved. What else is required to be saved?

Let us deal with the issue of the Son of Man becoming sin.

Deuteronomy 21:23 his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.

Since God’s Word is true and the Son was hung on a tree He became cursed by God. He became the representative of sin, the serpent on the cross.

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”

The curse of the law is death and in order to redeem us from that curse He would have to demonstrate His power over death.

John 10:17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

Why was it important that Jesus laid down His life?

Psalm 54:6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.

John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

I never had this thought before today.

Jesus walked this earth as something less than He was when He was with the Father.

I appreciate His acknowledgement that being in the Father’s presence makes a difference in His own persona, His glory.

Biblically glory is reputation, the essence of who God is in truth. That is not something we can fully appreciate because none of us have seen God.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

We only get a glimpse of this Jesus we follow but not in His full glory.

Why is that important?

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

If we are to be conformed in the image of Jesus, then we should know what to look for in the mirror. That will not be one of the glory that we can achieve in this flesh. Try as we might, we are still flesh.

Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

My thoughts on Galatians 5:17 are formed around those fatal words “doing the things you want to do”. The only want born of the spirit is obedience of faith. The flesh has a large list of things it wants. Not all wants are sinful. 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

What do you think?