The Gospel of John 3:9-15 (Heavenly Things). – Angelic Wars

The Gospel of John 3:9-15 (Heavenly Things).



 

Here we are continuing the Nicodemus scene in John 3:9-15.

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?  Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.  I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?  No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”




Questions and discussion:

  1. Jesus directly told Nicodemus that Jesus came from heaven.  But he refers to himself as the Son of Man.  Why did he refer to himself as the “Son of Man,” and not the “Son of God?” 
  2. What did Jesus mean by that he will be lifted up like Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness? Is that idolatry?
  3. Have you had difficulty getting others to believe in Jesus because they could not see him?



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Rick says June 22, 2023

Rick’s thoughts.

1. Jesus directly told Nicodemus that Jesus came from heaven. But he refers to himself as the Son of Man. Why did he refer to himself as the “Son of Man,” and not the “Son of God?”

Many write that “Son of Man” means Jesus was mortal. That may be true, but to the Jews in those days, it meant a lot more. The prophet Daniel, at 7:13, displays a very exalted person who approaches God. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.”

When Jesus uses this title, the religious leaders know exactly who he is speaking of. Jesus also equates the “Son of Man” to God in the Gospel of Matthew. “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:6)

Jesus also describes the Son of Man as one who has authority over angels. “The Son of Man will send out his angel, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.” (Matthew 13:41). Only God has authority over angels and judges humankind.

2. What did Jesus mean by that he will be lifted up like Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness? Is that idolatry?

Numbers 21:4-9. The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

The meaning is not for people to worship the snake, but to use it as a focal point for the presence of God. The snake is not God and should not be worshipped. Likewise, with Jesus, he is “lifted up” on the cross. I have read that “Lifted up” was a polite way of referring to crucifixion. In that culture, this method of execution was so vile that it was often mentioned using substituted phrases.

His image on the cross stands for something much greater: his death and resurrection for our sins, yet, we focus on the cross as a reminder.

3. Have you had difficulty getting others to believe in Jesus because they could not see him?

This doesn’t bother me because it is not my job to convert people to believe in Jesus Christ. I only try to teach by words and my actions. It is the job of God’s Holy Spirit to convict people’s hearts.

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