September 14 2024: Bible Verse of the Day – The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up – John 3:14-21 – Fourth Sunday of Lent Year B
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. – John 3:14-21
Catholic Readings for Today
Today’s Bible Verse of the Day Reflections
In this passage, Jesus refers to the story from the Old Testament where Moses lifted up a serpent in the wilderness, and those who looked upon it were healed.
Jesus uses this imagery to foreshadow his own crucifixion, emphasizing that he too will be lifted up for the healing and salvation of humanity.
It is from today’s passage that we get the command from Jesus that ‘the Son of Man must be lifted up’ by the way of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The central message of this passage revolves around the concept of belief. Jesus states that just as those who looked upon the lifted serpent were healed, so too will those who believe in him have eternal life.
This belief is not merely an intellectual acknowledgement of Jesus’ existence, but a deep and transformative trust in him as the source of salvation.
The Cross can have different meanings and interpretations from person to person. To Christians, it has a spiritual meaning but for the secular and historical people, it has a tragic and awful meaning.
From the secular and historical perspective, the bad and awful meaning attached to the cross is derived from the story that goes; a long time ago there was a man who was very popular and was loved and hated by many in equal measure. Those who hated this man planned and executed his brutal crucifixion.
We the Christians perceive the Cross, not from a secular point of view, but from a divine perspective. We believe that Jesus Christ was lifted up on the Cross for all to see.
We believe that He died a horrible death on the Cross to atone for our sins. Jesus, ultimately became victorious for He defeated death on that Cross and rose from the dead.
So whenever we see the Cross we see a victorious and glorious throne that deserves to be exalted all the time.
During the time of Moses, after the Israelites sinned and rebelled against God, The Lord sent snakes to punish them.
The serpents bit them and many people died. God instructed Moses to make an image of a snake and lift it up on a pole so that whoever looked upon it might be healed.
Therefore, Just as the Israelites looked upon the lifted serpent in the desert, so must we, now, look upon the lifted-up Jesus on the Cross for our healing.
We suffer from many issues in life such as ill-health, emotional problems, personal, relational, spiritual and financial issues.
Most of these problems are caused by sins of omission or commission. Jesus tells us today that when we, with sincere and repentant hearts, direct our gaze at Him on the exalted Cross, with faith, we shall be healed. We shall live and our problems will be resolved.
The passage concludes with a powerful declaration that those who do what is true come to the light, acknowledging their deeds as being done in God.
Conversely, those who do evil avoid the light, fearing exposure. The call is clear – embrace the truth, believe in Christ, and step into the light.
Jesus goes on to explain that God sent him into the world not to condemn it, but to save it. The light of Christ has come into the world, offering salvation and exposing the darkness of sin. Yet, some may reject this light out of a love for darkness and a reluctance to change their ways.
As we reflect on this Gospel passage, we are invited to examine our own lives and ask ourselves: Do we believe in Jesus as the one who brings salvation? Are we willing to come into the light, allowing Christ to expose and transform any darkness within us?
May our hearts be open to the transformative power of belief in Christ, leading us to a life lived in truth and love.
Therefore, today, let us spend some time gazing upon the Cross of Christ in our crucifixes. With faith, in that crucifix, you will see the answer to your problems.
Ask Jesus for the solution to your problems for He says, “Ask and you will get, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened for you.”
A Short Story About the Transformative Power of Faith in Christ
Sarah’s life has been marked by darkness, with broken relationships and a sense of hopelessness. One day, a friend shares the message of Christ’s love and salvation with her, emphasizing the idea of being “lifted up” for healing.
Sarah, initially resistant and skeptical, decides to attend a support group where she hears more about the transformative power of belief in Jesus. As she reflects on her life and the brokenness within, she begins to see the light of Christ as a source of hope.
In an act of faith, Sarah decides to embrace this message of salvation. She starts attending church, seeking guidance and support from a community of believers.
The light of Christ exposes the darkness of her addiction, and with faith in Jesus, she begins the journey of recovery.
As Sarah comes into the light, she experiences a profound transformation. The love and grace of Christ heal her wounds, mend broken relationships, and bring a sense of purpose to her life. Sarah’s actions align with truth and love as she lives out the principles of her newfound faith.
This example illustrates the central themes of belief, salvation, and coming into the light from John 3:14-21. It emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Christ, leading to a life lived in truth and love.
Prayer: Dear Lord, always give me the grace to gaze upon your Cross. May You help me to experience the victory You won for me on the Cross. May I receive your help all the times I seek it when I look at You. Jesus, I love You. Amen.
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