Title 2020

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Answer: ” refers to “love”specifically, the romantic love between a man and a woman, as described in the Scriptures. While the Bible acknowledges various forms of love, such as familial love (e.g., the love between siblings, a parent and a child), and refers to the intimate, passionate love shared between a husband and wife. The term can be used in the plural form, but it fundamentally speaks of the deep, intimate affection and devotion shared in the marriage relationship.

In Song of Solomon 1:2 (NIV), it says:
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—

for your love is more delightful than wine.”
This passage captures the intensity of romantic love and the emotional connection between the two lovers in the Song of Solomon. The imagery of kisses emphasizes intimacy, affection, and the joy that comes from the closeness of love.

Similarly, in Song of Solomon 4:10 (NIV), it reads:
“How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!”
Here, the bridegroom praises the bride, comparing her love to wine—a metaphor for the richness and depth of the relationship. Wine in Scripture often symbolizes joy and abundance, and the reference to perfume emphasizes the allure and beauty of their bond.

Other references can be found in Song of Solomon 1:4 and Song of Solomon 7:12.

The “”Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for Christians

Now, why is this specific type of love mentioned in the Bible, and what significance does it hold for us as Christians? This love has profound theological implications.

First, it speaks to the nature of marriage, as instituted by God. Marriage is not just a cultural or social institution, but a divine covenant designed by God to reflect His relationship with His people. The Song of Solomon provides an allegorical picture of the beauty and sacredness of this marital love, which can also be applied to the relationship between Christ and His Church.

In the New Testament,

Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV) explains this profound connection:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

This passage demonstrates the analogy between the love of a husband for his wife and the love of Christ for the Church. Christ’s love is self-sacrificial, pure, and unblemished just as marital love should be. The  love in Song of Solomon reflects this kind of sacrificial love, which is the model for Christian marriage.

The love of Christ for the Church is further explored in

Revelation 19:7-9 (NIV), which describes the marriage supper of the Lamb:
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”

This passage highlights the Church as the Bride of Christ, eagerly awaiting the marriage to the Lamb (Jesus), which will take place at the end of time. It signifies the ultimate union between Christ and His redeemed people, where the Church, purified and made radiant by His love, will be presented to Him in glory.

Jealousy and Christ’s Zeal for His Church

The intensity of love also manifests in jealousy a theme that appears throughout Scripture. In

Song of Solomon 8:6 (NIV), it says:
“Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.”

The verse speaks to the unrelenting nature of true love, which is not passive but active and protective. The jealousy described here is not negative or sinful, but rather a holy, righteous jealousy that guards the relationship. This mirrors Christ’s zeal for His Church. Just as a husband is zealous for the purity of his wife, Christ is fiercely protective of His Church, and He is jealous when His people turn to other idols or the ways of the world.

This zealous love is further illustrated in

2 Corinthians 11:2 (NIV), where Paul says:
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.”

Paul is echoing the same idea of a bride being set apart and kept pure for her husband—this is the nature of Christ’s love for His Church.

The Bride of Christ and Eternal Life

For Christians, this picture of marriage points to the eternal relationship between Christ and His Church. Those who are saved are part of the bride of Christ, cherished and loved by Him. Christ has prepared a place for His bride in the eternal Kingdom, as described in

Revelation 21:9-10 (NIV):
“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”

This “New Jerusalem” represents the final and eternal union of Christ with His Church. The Church, the bride, will dwell with Christ forever in the perfection of heaven.

Will you be part of this eternal union? If you have not yet accepted Christ, you will not inherit this eternal life. But the invitation remains: accept Christ today by repenting of your sins and being baptized. Christ, the Bridegroom, is waiting to receive you into His eternal love.

Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus!

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The Bible does not provide a specific number of how many angels God created. Instead, it uses terms that suggest an innumerable multitude. This intentional vagueness highlights God’s vast creative power and the majesty of the heavenly realm.

1. The Countless Number of Angels

In several passages, the Bible uses language like “myriads” or “thousands upon thousands” to describe angels, showing that their number is beyond human counting.

Hebrews 12:22 (ESV):
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.”
The word “innumerable” (Greek: myriades) implies tens of thousands or even more, used metaphorically to mean “beyond counting.”

Revelation 5:11 (ESV):
“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.”
This is a poetic way to say that the number of angels is incomprehensibly vast.

This suggests that angels are not only numerous, but their organization reflects God’s order and majesty—what Scripture calls “heavenly hosts.”

2. Categories of Angels in the Bible

The Bible shows that angels are not all the same; they are created for different purposes and roles in God’s divine plan.

A. Angels of Worship (Seraphim and Cherubim)

Isaiah 6:2-3 (ESV): “Above him stood the seraphim… And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'”

Ezekiel 10:1-22 describes Cherubim as powerful beings who surround God’s throne.
These angels continually worship and glorify God in His heavenly presence.

B. Angels of War (Archangel Michael and others)

Revelation 12:7 (ESV): “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon.”

Daniel 10:13, 21 (ESV) also presents Michael as a prince who engages in spiritual warfare on behalf of God’s people.

C. Messenger Angels (Gabriel)

Luke 1:19 (ESV): “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you…”
Gabriel is specifically mentioned by name as one who brings divine messages (also in Daniel 8:16; 9:21).

D. Angels of Nature

Angels are at times associated with elements of nature, acting under God’s command.

Revelation 16:5 (ESV): “And I heard the angel in charge of the waters…”

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Revelation 14:18 (ESV): “And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire…”

E. Guardian Angels for Cities or Nations

Daniel 4:13 (ESV): “I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.”

This shows God assigns angels to oversee and intervene in earthly affairs, including nations.

F. Guardian Angels for Individuals

Matthew 18:10 (ESV): “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father…”

Psalm 34:7 (ESV): “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”

G. Angels Who Serve Believers (Ministering Spirits)

Hebrews 1:14 (ESV): “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

Acts 5:19, 8:26, 12:7, 27:23 show angels helping and guiding God’s people in specific moments.

H. Angels of Judgment

Psalm 78:49 (ESV): “He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels.”

Revelation 16 shows angels pouring out the bowls of God’s wrath during the end times.

I. Angels of Healing

John 5:4 (some manuscripts): This verse mentions an angel stirring the waters for healing at the Pool of Bethesda.

Isaiah 6:7 (ESV): The Seraph touches Isaiah’s lips with a coal, symbolizing spiritual purification and healing.

3. Fallen Angels (Demons)

Not all angels remained loyal. According to the Bible, one-third of the angels rebelled with Satan and were cast out of heaven.

Revelation 12:4 (ESV): “His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.”

Jude 1:6 (ESV): “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority… he has kept in eternal chains…”

Some of these fallen angels (now demons) are already imprisoned, some will be released briefly during end times (Revelation 9:1-11), and others currently roam the earth causing destruction (1 Peter 5:8).

The story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:9 (ESV) reveals how vast their numbers can be:

“My name is Legion, for we are many.”

If that many demons could inhabit one person, imagine how many may be active throughout the world today.

4.  God’s Majesty and Power

The uncountable number of angels is not meant to overwhelm but to reveal God’s infinite greatness.

Psalm 139:17-18 (ESV):
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”

The multitude of angels shows not only God’s glory and order in the unseen world, but also His care for His people through both seen and unseen means.

Conclusion:
The Bible paints a picture of angels as a vast, organized, and purposeful part of God’s creation. Their numbers are beyond human calculation, their roles are diverse, and their presence both obedient and fallen reminds us of the spiritual reality in which we live.

May the name of the Lord be praised forever.

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“Blessed be the name of our Lord .” As we meditate on the Word of God, let’s remember that Scripture is not only truth but also nourishment for our souls (Matthew 4:4). In times of weakness, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness, it is the Word that revives, corrects, and restores us.

One might wonder: Why did Jesus, the perfect Son of God, sometimes cry deeply and with great emotion in His prayers to the Father? After all, Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 4:15), fearless, and in perfect union with God. He had divine authority, and whatever He asked of the Father was always aligned with God’s will. So why would such a powerful and holy figure need to weep?

The answer reveals something profound about Christ’s humanity, His heart, and His mission.

JESUS WEPT BECAUSE HE FELT DEEPLY—AND LOVED DEEPLY

In Hebrews 5:7 (NIV), we read:

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

Here, the writer emphasizes both Jesus’ divinity and His full humanity. In His humanity, Jesus experienced deep sorrow, fear, and grief, especially as He approached His crucifixion. His tears were not a sign of weakness but of profound empathy and surrender. He willingly submitted to God’s will even when it meant suffering and death (Luke 22:42-44).

Though Jesus had all authority (Matthew 28:18), His tears reveal that true spiritual strength is expressed through humility, submission, and compassion. In Gethsemane, His agony was so intense that “His sweat was like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44), a condition known medically as hematidrosis, which occurs under extreme stress.

JESUS SHARED OUR HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Jesus wept not only for Himself, but also for others. When He approached the tomb of Lazarus and saw the sorrow of those mourning, the shortest yet one of the most powerful verses in Scripture says:

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35, NIV)

This wasn’t a superficial sadness. Jesus, though knowing He would raise Lazarus, was moved by the grief of others. His tears demonstrate His deep emotional connection to human suffering—He is “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

THE APOSTLES CONTINUED IN THIS SPIRIT OF COMPASSION

This heartfelt emotion did not stop with Jesus. The Apostle Paul, filled with the Spirit of Christ, also displayed deep compassion. In Acts 20:31 (NIV), Paul says:

“So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

Again in 2 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV):

“For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.”

And in Philippians 3:18 (NIV):

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

Paul was not ashamed of tears. In fact, his emotional depth reflected his deep understanding of grace, the cost of salvation, and the lostness of humanity without Christ. His tears were part of his calling and a sign of his genuine love.

WE TOO MUST BE MOVED BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD

Some may say, “I don’t cry easily.” That may be true. But tears in the spiritual life are often a sign of awakening, of deep conviction, and of gratitude. If you take time to reflect—on what God has done for you, how He has sustained you, forgiven you, chosen you despite your flaws—you may begin to feel that same spiritual tenderness.

Think about this:

• Why are you still alive today, when many have died—some due to sickness, some due to accidents or violence?
• Have you ever truly paid for the air you breathe or the health you enjoy?
• Did you earn salvation? No—Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) reminds us:

  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

You were chosen by grace, not because you were smarter or better than others. If God had not drawn you to Himself (John 6:44), you would still be lost. Reflecting on that reality—God’s mercy, His patience, His protection—can break the hardest heart.

GRATITUDE SHOULD MOVE US TO PRAISE—AND TEARS

As this year ends, reflect on God’s goodness. Maybe you escaped a tragedy. Maybe you had moments of weakness or even rebellion, yet God remained faithful. Maybe, during a global pandemic, you were preserved while others perished. All of that is grace.

Don’t harden your heart. Let your emotions respond to God. Allow yourself to worship, to cry if needed, and to give thanks with your whole being.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) says:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

A PRAYER

May God give us the sensitivity to see His hand at work in our lives. May He heal not only our bodies and minds, but our eyes—our spiritual vision—to recognize His presence, His mercy, and His power. And may we respond not just with words, but with heartfelt worship.

Shalom

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When we hear the word mercy, we often think of simple acts of kindness someone helping another person in need, or forgiving a small offense. But when the Bible speaks of God’s mercy, it points to something far greater, deeper, and eternal.

The Hebrew Word “Hesed”

In the Old Testament, the word used for God’s mercy is “Hesed” (חֶסֶד). This Hebrew word has no exact English equivalent. It includes concepts like steadfast love, covenant loyalty, loving-kindness, and mercy. It refers to God’s faithful, unfailing love toward His people, especially as expressed in His covenants and redemptive acts.

Theologian R.C. Sproul explains that hesed involves a love that is loyal, committed, and active. It is not merely emotion it’s love in action, grounded in God’s unchanging character.

Mercy Without Conditions

God’s mercy is unconditional. It’s not given because we deserve it or have done anything to earn it. In

Titus 3:5 (NKJV), Paul writes:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…”

God shows mercy because it is His nature. He doesn’t wait for us to be good first. Rather, He is good and merciful even when we are undeserving.

Psalm 136 – A Litany of Mercy

Psalm 136 is a powerful expression of God’s enduring mercy. Every verse ends with the phrase:

“For His mercy endures forever.” (NKJV)

This refrain reminds us that in every act of God from creation to deliverance His mercy is the driving force.

Here are selected verses:

• Psalm 136:1–3 (NKJV):
  

  “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
  For His mercy endures forever.
  Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
  For His mercy endures forever.
  Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
  For His mercy endures forever.”

• Psalm 136:10–16 (NKJV) recounts God’s mercy in delivering Israel from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, and leading them through the wilderness. All these acts are declared as demonstrations of His everlasting mercy.

God’s Mercy Revealed to Moses

When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the Lord passed by him and proclaimed:

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…”
(Exodus 34:6, NKJV)

Here, merciful is the first characteristic God uses to describe Himself. His very identity is wrapped in mercy and compassion.

The Cross: The Ultimate Act of Mercy

God’s mercy reaches its highest expression in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As John 3:16 (NKJV) says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

This was not an act of obligation—it was a gift of pure mercy. Romans 5:8 (NKJV) tells us:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ask yourself: could you give up your beloved child to save someone who ignores or even hates you? That’s what God did for us.

Responding to God’s Mercy

Knowing all this, how should we respond?

With gratitude

 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1, NKJV)

• With praise and worship: David often responded to God’s mercy with music, dancing, and public praise.
• With obedience and giving: Our offerings and lives should reflect how deeply we appreciate God’s mercy.

As believers, we are called to worship Him not only with our lips but with our whole lives.

Conclusion

God’s mercy—His “hesed”—is not fleeting. It is eternal, unwavering, and deeply personal. It is the reason we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22), and it is the foundation of our salvation.

May the name of Jesus Christ be forever praised. His mercy truly endures forever. Hallelujah!

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Bracelets—are decorative items traditionally worn on the wrists or ankles. In ancient cultures, including those in biblical times, they were often used for adornment, status symbols, or even spiritual significance. Both men and women wore them, though their meaning varied.

2. Biblical References to Bracelets

The word “bracelet” appears in various contexts in Scripture, primarily in the Old Testament. Here are some key examples:

2 Samuel 1:10 (NIV):
“So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.”

Context: This was part of David’s lament over Saul. The bracelet here may have symbolized royal authority or kingship.

Genesis 24:47 (NIV):
“Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.’ Then I put a ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms.”

Context: Abraham’s servant gifts Rebekah bracelets as part of a marriage arrangement. This shows that jewelry, including bracelets, had social and relational meanings.

Isaiah 3:19 (NIV):
“the earrings and bracelets and veils,”

Context: A prophetic rebuke against the pride and excess of the women of Zion. God condemns their obsession with outward adornment, as part of a broader judgment.

Ezekiel 16:11 (NIV):
“I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck.”

Context: God describes His blessings on Jerusalem using symbolic language of adornment. However, the chapter later condemns Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness despite these blessings.

3. Functional Use of Bracelets (Rings) in Sacred Objects

Interestingly, the Hebrew word sometimes translated as “bracelet” can also refer to rings used in construction, such as in the Ark of the Covenant.

Exodus 25:14–15 (NIV):
“Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be remove”

These “rings”  served a practical purpose, not decorative. They represent order, structure, and reverence in the worship of God.

4. The New Testament View on Adornment

Under the New Covenant, emphasis shifts from physical outward beauty to inner spiritual character. Adornment, while not explicitly forbidden, is treated with caution, especially when it reflects vanity, pride, or worldliness.

1 Peter 3:3–4 (NIV):
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

This doesn’t outright prohibit jewelry but reorients believers toward godliness and humility over physical appearance.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV):
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Application: Christians are called to treat their bodies with honor, avoiding anything that might degrade or objectify them, including excessive adornment.

5. Moral and Cultural Implications

In some cultures, particularly in traditional African settings, anklets and certain bracelets are associated with sexual suggestiveness or prostitution. This cultural association informs how Christian communities interpret their appropriateness.

Proverbs 7:10 (NIV):
“Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.”

Though not directly about jewelry, this highlights how attire and accessories can reflect one’s intentions or identity in a given cultural context.

6. Should Christians Wear Bracelets Today?

• The Bible acknowledges the use of bracelets in both adornment and functional design.
• God does not condemn jewelry in itself, but He does warn against vanity, pride, and outward-focused beauty.
• The New Testament prioritizes inner holiness over physical decoration.
• Christians should use discernment, considering both Scripture and cultural implications, to avoid sending the wrong message or becoming a stumbling block to others.

Conclusion: A Call to Modesty and Holiness

Wearing bracelets or jewelry is not inherently sinful, but it becomes problematic when it reflects vanity, distracts from godly character, or aligns with ungodly cultural practices. Believers are called to live holy and set-apart lives, not conformed to the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2).

Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus.

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Understanding Salvation

Salvation is a concept that’s central to the Christian faith. But what does salvation mean? In essence, salvation refers to the healing of our souls. While physical healing restores our bodies, salvation focuses on the restoration of our spiritual health. We all need salvation because of sin, which separates us from God. There are two types of healing: physical healing for the body, and spiritual healing for the soul.

The path to physical healing and spiritual healing, however, are very different.

The Plagues and God’s Intervention in Egypt

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the story of the Israelites in Egypt. In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh rejected God’s commands, leading to a series of plagues. Among these were locusts, flies, frogs, and other deadly afflictions. Every time Pharaoh cried out to Moses, asking him to pray to God and remove the plague, God heard him and took away the affliction (see Exodus 8:8-13).

For example, in

Exodus 8:8 (NIV), Pharaoh said to Moses,

“Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”

Moses responded, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God” (Exodus 8:10, NIV).

As soon as Moses prayed, God removed the frogs, showing His mercy and power.

The Snakes and the Choice Between Life and Death

However, there’s a significant shift in the way God responds later on, after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea. In the book of Numbers, we read that the people began to grumble and complain about their hardships in the wilderness. In their rebellion, God sent venomous snakes to bite them, and many died as a result. The people cried out to Moses, asking him to pray for God to remove the snakes. This time, however, God did not remove the snakes. Instead, He provided a remedy.

In

Numbers 21:8-9 (NIV), God told Moses:

“Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”

Moses obeyed, making a bronze serpent, and when people looked at it, they were healed. God did not remove the source of death (the snakes), but instead provided a way to overcome the consequences of sin through the bronze serpent.

This is a key theological point: God did not remove the problem but gave the Israelites a way to be healed despite the ongoing problem. Similarly, God does not remove sin from the world, but He offers a way out through Jesus Christ.

Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Bronze Serpent

John 3:14-15 (NIV), Jesus Himself connects this event with His own coming:
“

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.”

Just as the bronze serpent was lifted up for the Israelites to look upon and be healed, Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that everyone who believes in Him might receive eternal life. This event is deeply theological because it connects the Old Testament story to the New Testament revelation of Christ’s atoning work.

The snakes represented sin and the consequences of sin death. The bronze serpent is a type or symbol of Christ, who became sin for us, even though He Himself knew no sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). By looking at the serpent, the Israelites acknowledged their need for healing. Similarly, by looking to Jesus on the cross, we acknowledge our need for salvation from sin and death.

The Choice Between Life and Death

The snakes were not removed, and neither is sin completely removed from our world today. In fact, the presence of sin and its consequences (death) continue in our world. But, like the Israelites in the wilderness, we have a choice: we can either accept God’s remedy or reject it.

Deuteronomy 30:15 (NIV), God gives us this choice clearly:

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.”

We are presented with the choice to either continue in sin, which leads to spiritual death, or to choose the way of life by trusting in Jesus Christ, who offers us eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross.

The Importance of Jesus as the Remedy

Jesus did not come to remove sin from the world completely. We still see sin and its effects, such as death and suffering. But He came to provide the remedy for sin. As we read in John 1:29 (NIV), John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are given a way to be healed spiritually, just as the Israelites were given a way to be healed from the venomous snake bites.

The Choice is Yours

The message of salvation is not forced upon anyone. It is a personal choice. God cannot force salvation into your heart; it’s something you must choose.

As Romans 6:23 (NIV) says:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

You can choose to remain in sin, where the wages are death, or you can choose life by looking to Jesus Christ, accepting His forgiveness, and following Him. The choice is entirely yours.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the story of the bronze serpent, we see that God didn’t remove the source of death (the snakes), but He provided a way for His people to overcome it. Similarly, He offers us the way of life in Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross for our sins. Will you choose to look to Him for healing and eternal life?

May the Lord bless you as you make that choice.

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