If one day you realized you had been living in a fantasy world that you had constructed for yourself, a world that let you be in control but that was going to end badly, would you stop the fantasy and enter the real world? Even if the real world had challenges you didn't know how to face, and you'd have to let go of control? That was the challenge Jesus issued to a religious guy early in his ministry. Can we learn from what happened there?
Jesus had started his ministry with some miracles, and teachings that ran against the establishment. Some people were getting disturbed. One of the ruling class came to see him at night and wanted to know what was up. Jesus' answers were enigmatic, at first, but revealed God's heart for people, which was beyond what Nicodemus had been able to envision from his own limited life.
Jesus reminded Nick of the bronze snake in the wilderness, that those who looked at the snake on its pole were healed of their deadly snakebite. That picture showed how he, Jesus, would be lifted up on a pole "so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:14-16). Notice, it's the will of God that people be saved: "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him" (v. 17). Our 'deadly snakebite' of sin and rebellion is healed through Jesus!
The people who looked at the bronze snake and were saved, kept the snake and made an idol of it, which a king of Israel destroyed because they were looking at the idol instead to God. In the same way, many people in Jesus' day looked to their own fantasy world of rules and regulations as a way of creating righteousness by fencing people in, or fencing sin out. But it didn't work. People were as messed-up as ever on the inside, and it showed on the outside. Jesus had to tear down their religious "bronze serpent" and replace it with himself. Guess what? People are creating the same sort of fantasy world today, either in their own minds or in a religious system that hurts others and is not the pure grace of looking to Jesus.
This scripture says those who look to Jesus are saved. That's not a limitation, that's an open door, because he died for "the world" -- all people everywhere, not just a select few. If we think we can save ourselves, or even improve ourselves, in any other way than humble surrender to Jesus, we're living in a fantasy world, and one day it will come crumbling down. Instead, Jesus is faithful to replace the messed-up fantasy world of our ideas with his righteous thinking and actions. It's usually one messed-up piece at a time, but it's sure.
So, do you have a 'fake snake' in the closet of your spiritual life? It has more influence over you than you may realize. The only way to be free is for you to turn completely to Jesus in every way. The good news is, I've seen a lot of people turn their messes over to Jesus, and although it seemed hard at first, they're living in a world of peace and joy they never knew was possible. Maybe you've already turned over your 'fake snake' to Jesus, but if there's anything left, now is the time. Are you ready?
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