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)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sin brings the wrath of God. In the desert the Israelites were struck down by fiery snakes. Many Israelites died. God told Moses to place a fiery snake high on a pole, that the people would look in faith and live.
This Old Testament lesson is a PREVIEW of Christ on the Cross for you! The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6) Our sin brings the wrath of God. REPENT of your sin. Look to Christ Jesus on the Cross taking the punishment due you. Jesus said, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. (John 12)
Jesus who knew no sin, became sin for you. Jesus, high and lifted up on Good Friday's Tree, takes the wrath of God for you. Jesus was put to death in your place. Jesus died so that you can live.
At the right time Christ died for the ungodly...God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...We have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5)
The focus of the bible is Jesus coming to save sinners. The Scriptures proclaim this truth over and over again. Jesus going to the Cross to rescue us from damnation. Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew16)
The preaching of Christ Crucified and Risen is what Christians gather to hear week after week. For the unbeliever this is foolishness. But for you the Christian the preaching of the Cross is life-giving. The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1)
Helena, the mother of Constantine, went on a pilgrimage in search of the true Cross of Christ. She is said to have found it in her quest. No need for you to go on a search for a relic of dead wood. Rather, hear another sermon of the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus for you. Jesus used this instrument of death (the Cross) to do His saving work to bring you life.
Remember your baptism where the Cross is placed upon your hearts and foreheads. In Holy Baptism Good Friday and Easter are gifted to you. We have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6)
Pick-up your Cross and follow Jesus. As you suffer in this world, be comforted in the Crucified and Risen Lord for you. Our Lord is reigning on His throne.
The Apostle John preaches the Heavenly hymn of comfort to the Church. Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5)
The faithful Christians gather around Jesus our Lord to worship Him. Jesus is with His Church in His Word, in the Waters of Baptism and in the Bread and Wine giving you His Body and Blood. Christ’s gift of life eternal from His Tree of Life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
On My Heart Imprint Your Image LSB 422:1
On my heart imprint Your image, Blessèd Jesus, King of grace,
That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures Never may Your work erase;
Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope’s foundation, And my glory and salvation!