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 f you were to look at a list of the top 100 verses in the Bible, you’d find that a verse from John chapter 3 is at the very top. It’s the most quoted verse that Jesus ever spoke, and it’s the most quoted verse in the Bible... Number 17: The Gospel In A NutshellBy Eric Elder It’s called “Peace on Earth,” and was recorded for us by one of my favorite pianists in the world (and my sister!), and features contemporary piano versions of peaceful and inspirational Christmas music. To listen now--or anytime--click on the link below. And if you’d like a copy of this CD for yourself or as a gift, just visit The Ranch Giftshop where you can order this--or any of the other inspirational books and music we’ve created for you on this website over the years! Merry Christmas! Click here to listen now: Here’s today’s devotional... If you were to look at a list of the top 100 verses in the Bible, you’d find that a verse from John chapter 3 is at the very top. It’s the most quoted verse that Jesus ever spoke, and it’s the most quoted verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).John 3:16 contains the gospel--or good news of Christ--in a nutshell: that anyone who wants to be free from the penalty of sin and death can do so by putting their faith in Jesus. Jesus expanded on why this is such good news in the rest of John chapter 3. He did so in the context of a conversation between Himself and Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council, who came to Jesus one night to learn more from this controversial, but impressive, teacher. Jesus told Nicodemus famously: “You must be born again,” to which Nicodemus responded: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4).Jesus answered him: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).Nicodemus must have taken what Jesus said to heart, for after Jesus died on the cross, Nicodemus was one of two men who risked his own life and position on the Jewish council to ask Pilate for Jesus’ body in order to give Jesus a proper burial (see John 19:38-40). May God give us all that kind of boldness in our faith! Jesus also mentioned to Nicodemus something that had happened to the Israelites about 2,500 years earlier. When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they sinned. As a result, God sent fiery serpents to attack them, and many Israelites died from the bites. Those who were still alive repented of their sins and Moses prayed to God on their behalf. God said to Moses: “’Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live” (Numbers 21:8-9).God heard the their prayers and saw their repentant hearts and provided a way for them to be saved. Referring to this story, Jesus told Nicodemus: “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” (John 3:14-15).This story has become such a symbol of healing that even today, the symbol of a snake wrapped around a pole can still be seen on many of our medical buildings, ambulances, and doctor’s insignias. But it’s more than just a symbol about healing. It’s a symbol of forgiveness, a symbol of a loving God who will go to the greatest lengths possible to extend forgiveness to His people, if they will turn from their sins and put their faith in Him. It is in the context of this ancient story of God’s eagerness to forgive that Jesus said His most famous quote in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Not only is John 3:16 the gospel in a nutshell, it’s the whole Bible in a nutshell! God has always been wooing His people into a relationship with Him, and offering them forgiveness if they truly desire it, so that they can come back into a relationship with Him. And that’s what God has offered to us, by sending His only Son to die for us so we can live. God loves you, and He doesn’t want you or anyone else to be destroyed by sin. He’s willing to go to the greatest lengths possible--and He already has--to see that you will be healed, forgiven, and brought back into a new life with Him, If you’ve already put your faith in Christ, Hallelujah! Let someone know about it who needs to hear this good news, especially at this Christmas season when we celebrate Christ’s birth! But if you’ve never put your faith in Christ--or been “born again” as Jesus described it--there’s no better time than right now! Let’s pray... Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Your only Son to die for me so that I could live. I want to live again. I want to be born again spiritually so I can live with You forever. Forgive me for my sins, the wrong things I’ve done. I am putting my faith in Christ right now. Fill me with Your Spirit to that I can live the life You’ve called me to live, both here on earth, and on into heaven forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.Today’s Scripture: John 3 Today’s Memory Verse: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). To read more from this series, “The Top 20 Passages in the Bible,” click here: Looking for a Christmas gift that points people towards Christ? Visit The Ranch Giftshop, featuring many of the inspirational books and music we’ve produced for use on The Ranch website over the years, including some beautiful Christmas CD’s! To find us on Facebook, look for us at “The Ranch Messages” and click “Like!” Invite your friends! We’d love to have them study along with us--and you! Just forward this email and encourage them to sign up for themselves at the link below. To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here: |
