Psalm 23 and John 3:16 in their context: knowing about the good shepherd and knowing the good shepherd are two different things altogether! (Selwyn Hughes) The same is true with knowing a verse and trusting the One about whom the verse is speaking! Equate it to knowing that a car runs on gas or electricity and actually putting gas in the tank or charging the batteries. It just doesn’t work unless you activate your faith!
The thing about snakes – why put it up on a pole? And why does it bring healing? What is the type in the OT that Jesus wants us to be aware of? Is there a connection to the Passover feast that they are celebrating? Would Nicodemus have a different understanding about this from his historical and cultural background that we in our era and culture may have difficulty relating to?
The snake, the devil and the bite of sin that brings destruction and death compared to the one who takes that sting of death away! It is a type of the cross and a prophetic view of what was to come with the real exodus from slavery to sin in the world of the flesh.
The abundant nature of God’s generosity to those who believe in him.
Condemnation and believing in Jesus
The love of God for humankind is contrasted by our love of darkness. How do we identify darkness? By deeds that are evil – by God’s definition, which is the only one that counts in the face of eternity!
The focus on truth as the means of coming to the light.
Matt Carter: The reality of God’s love – 14-16 for us and so reveals the need, the reason, the intensity and the demonstration of God’s love. The proof of the Love of God is in the giving. The demonstration proves the intensity and assurance of love, not just the words. The sacrifice is the proof more than time or money. Compare gave to sent in 17!
The reason Jesus came – 17 sent not to condemn Romans and liberate Jews. To condemn means to judge a person guilty and liable to punishment.
The result of belief – 18 the message of the Bible is about God’s love and mercy and about man’s sin and need leading to the rescue found in Jesus Christ
The response of man – 19-21 our choice