Reflecting on John 3:10-15“How then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? (John 3:12)
It is the signs (miracles) that convinces Nicodemus that Jesus is from God.
This is how God’s Spirit draws and helps people to see God’s heavenly goodness.
Without this divine assistance, how else could people believe Jesus?
In Numbers 21:4-9 something similar happens: God uses a sign to convince the people.
They were growing impatient with God, thinking that God was making them miserable.
Their misery (wilderness, hunger, snakes) was making them look away from God.
God gives them a new sign, a snake on a pole (that is, the problem being crucified).
When they see this sign from above, something good happens in them, and they believe.
Jesus is telling Nicodemus that His signs are meant to help people believe.
If we focus on the misery, we will struggle to believe too.
But what if we focus on the mercy, the little signs of God at work?
What if we focus on the cross, on Jesus being raised up for us?
Despite our misery, the Spirit births hope and healing when we see Jesus.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, the ultimate sign of God’s mercy and love.
Like Nicodemus, be encouraged: God is still at work to help and heal me!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we cannot believe or have hope without signs of God's goodness at work. Whenever I despair of hope, I look to Your suffering love for us on the cross, and I am encouraged. The cross is the ultimate sign of God's goodness, helping me to believe!