We must know the healing power of Christ’s redeeming love and victory which he won for us on the cross at Calvary. The Old Testament prophets never ceased to speak of God’s faithfulness and compassion towards those who would turn away from sin and return to God with repentant hearts, trust, and obedience. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, he prophesied that his death on the cross would bring healing and forgiveness, a “new birth in the Spirit,” and eternal life to all those who believe in Him. As we know, the prophet Daniel described a vision he received of the Anointed Messiah King who was sent from heaven to rule over the earth. Traditionally, when kings began to reign, they were literally “lifted up” and enthroned above the people. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he will be recognized as the Anointed King when he is “lifted up” on the cross at Calvary. Jesus points to a key prophetic sign which Moses performed in the wilderness right after the people of Israel were afflicted with poisonous serpents. Scripture tells us that many people died in the wilderness because of their sin of rebellion towards Moses and God. Through Moses’ intervention, God showed mercy to the people and instructed Moses to “make a fiery serpent” mounted on a pole. All who looked upon the serpent would be spared death from the serpent. This miraculous sign was meant to foreshadow and point to the saving work which Jesus would perform to bring healing and salvation to the world.

The bronze serpent which Moses lifted up in the wilderness points to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe in Jesus Christ. God not only frees us from our sins and pardons us, he also fills us with his own divine life.

Yes, my dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, can you just imagine the Love our heavenly Father has towards us? He just doesn’t want to lose any one of us at any time. Before last week we heard that God spared the son of Abraham, but He did not spare His own son! God wants to show us how much he loves each and every one of us by giving up His one and only begotten son for our sake. And the Son took it up with great joy and love. So, whenever we go through the pains and sufferings in our day-to-day lives, look at Christ on the cross and see His love for us and always try to carry our pains and sufferings with great joy and love, becoming one with Christ. He is the one and only answer for everything in this world. Put our trust in Him and put our feet in his shoes and walk together with Him.

Love and prayers,

Fr. Charley