How Can These Things Be? Sunday - January 19

Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. John 3:9-15

Nicodemus didn't seem to understand.  How can these things be? Jesus is telling us something profoundly simple--spiritual birth and believing in Him. He was also foretelling about His crucifixion--being raised up on a cross like Moses raised the bronze serpent in the desert. 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. Numbers 21:9. That old serpent, Satan, biting people. The Savior of people who get "bit" is Jesus, who died on a cross for the sins of mankind. Can you believe that Jesus would die for you? Do you understand that there is a spiritual realm--and to enter God's spiritual Kingdom of Heaven--you must have a spiritual birth? Profoundly simple--but we must surrender our will to God, humbling ourselves to admit we are indeed sinners, and asking for forgiveness to receive God's plan for our lives. He want us to live full lives--filled with peace, joy, and love. Of course life isn't always easy, but God has also promised to never leave us or forsake us--so we're not alone as we go through the struggles in life. I'm glad for that. It's a heavenly thing. Can you understand that?

RSVP: Jesus once again is explained His sacrifice. He is inviting you to understand--to believe--heavenly things. Will you respond to his invitation?

Prayer - Jesus, please give me wisdom to understand heavenly things. Help me to be able not only to understand these things, but to be able to help others understand them, too.

                            (c) 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

        All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.