- We love love storytime and today we want to share with you a lovely short story (or two)…
- Perhaps the most famous and powerful scripture in the world is John 3:16, but do you know of the verses leading to it? (v14-15). Let’s dig in:
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 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.” (John 3:13-15).
- Dear friend, I believe we must understand these preceding verses because they will throw more light and understanding on “FOR God so loved the world…”
- The English students will help us appreciate that the use of the word “For” indicates a preceding statement based on which the current statement is being made.
- Let’s get into our first story now… (I’ll give you a paraphrased version)
Once upon a time (this is where you respond "time time"), a nation was wandering in the wilderness. They had been slaves under cruel conditions (like Ghana and other colonised nations), and they had now gained independence ("their beloved country was free forever").
Now as they journeyed in the wilderness, they started grumbling about their leadership and they even questioned God's wisdom in leading them into the desert - and that's where they crossed the line.
- So God judged this nation (Israel) – which was full of critics, grumblers and murmurers – by sending deadly snakes among them.
- And once the snakes bite you, you die (RIP). So that led to massive mourning and crying from the people and their leader (Moses) had to plead to God to save them.
Moses (being a very caring leader) interceded for his people and God gave them an unusual remedy. He told Moses to make a bronze likeness of the deadly snake and place it on a very long pole (that can be seen from anywhere in the camp).
Now when any of the people were bitten by the deadly snakes, all they had to do was to look up at the bronze serpent - on that pole - and they would be healed. (Isn't it too easy... just look and live? )
- As simple as it sounds, I’m sure some people who were bitten by the snakes felt it was just too easy or a silly request that would heal them.
- “I’ve been bitten by a deadly snake and I’m dying, and you’re saying I should just look up at a snake on a pole and live?”
- Perhaps they thought this solution was not complicated enough, or it didn’t require enough effort on their part.
But they soon learned - all too well - that those who put their faith in what God said (that simple solution) and just looked up, all lived. And all those who didn't - well, they died...
The Story continues…
- Years after the snake incident in the desert, Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a very learned and religious Jewish scholar (who knew this historic story). This is what Jesus said in John 3:14-15:
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."
Jesus was saying, “I’m like that snake Moses lifted up in the wilderness. Every person in the world has been bitten by sin and will die, yet God has provided a way of escape.
I (Jesus), will take on the sins of the world and become like that snake – I will be hanged on a long pole (calvary cross) and those who will believe and just look to Me will be saved.“
This is a clear picture of our need for salvation and the only way of escape. Yet even in our day, some think God’s plan is too simple, too easy and it doesn’t involve enough human effort.
- Unfortunately, all those people stay poisoned by sin and chained to the terrible consequences (eternal death) because they refuse to look in faith to Christ on the cross. This is what leads to this lovely and perhaps greatest love message:
God (the Great God, the Greatest God), so loved (the Greatest decision from the Greatest Love), the world (the Greatest number of people one can love, including you and I)…
that He gave (the Greatest gift) His only begotten Son (Jesus, who is the Greatest person ever), that whosoever (the Greatest invitation); whosoever (not just virgins, nor some high class of humans, nor a Church squad)…
but whosoever believes (the Greatest simplicity of qualification), whosoever believes in Him, should not perish (the Greatest escape), but have everlasting life (the Greatest destination). ~ John 3:16
Can I end with another story? (I hope you love stories). Once upon a time, in a little peaceful town, lived a wise old man. This old man was very wise and every one used to talk about his great wisdom.
Young, old, rich and poor always spoke of his great wisdom: “Wooow, this man is very wise and knows the answer to everything.”
- But there was a little boy who was irritated always hearing about the wise old man and all the praises he received. So he had a plan to go and test him.
- He caught a labalaba (a butterfly), in his hands and said: “I will go to the old man with the labalaba hidden in my hands and ask him if the labalaba is dead or alive.“
"If he says its alive, I will squeeze my hand hard and kill it, and show it to him that he’s wrong. If he says it’s dead, then I’ll open my hands and let it fly away; proving to him he was wrong.”
- So he went to the old man. “Old man, I have a labalaba in my clenched hands. Tell me, is it dead or alive?
- The old man smiled and answered him… [Do you want to know what the old man said? Are you sure you want to know?] Okay, no problem, I’ll tell you…
The old man smiled and said: “Son, whether the labalaba is dead or alive, it depends on you.”
- Dear friend, I share this story with you because to look up and to receive the greatest love we spoke of earlier; which gives eternal life with God in heaven, depends on you.
- Whether you will be saved by sin’s bite and spend eternity with God in heaven OR perish with the devil in Hell, it depends on you!
You have the choice to make with the labalaba in your hands. Will you look up at Him on that cross and be saved or will you reject it? It depends on you dear friend.
If you want to accept this great love and be born again, or re-dedicate your life to God, you must ask Jesus to come into your heart and life.
You have to pray a prayer like this and mean it from the bottom of your heart. Please friend, please put any pride aside and let’s pray:
“Heavenly Father, I come to You as one bitten by sin, left to die and condemned to Hell. Today, I choose to look up to Jesus, on that cross to be saved. I repent of my sins and ask for your forgiveness. I believe with all my heart that Jesus died on the cross and rose up again to set me free and give me eternal life.
Lord Jesus, I open my heart to You and receive You as my Lord and personal Saviour. I receive this great love you have for me. Please let your Holy Spirit take control of my life and make me what You want me to be. From today, I am Yours and You are mine. Thank You, Father for this wonderful gift of salvation. Amen!
- Congratulations! Heaven is rejoicing about you with this decision. Your name is written in the book of life!
- If you prayed this prayer for the first time, or you just re-dedicated your life to Christ, we would like to know you and help you on this new journey… isn’t that amazing? We have some free resources for you so please reach out to me.
Heyy… you’re blessed and highly favoure and dearly loved! Please kindly help us share this with others also. Hopefully, it will be a blessing to someone else.
Do share your lessons from John 3 and remember to tag us on :
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2 responses to “Storytime ღ: It’s Too Easy”
This is such a blessing 🙏🏽. God bless you for this illumination.
God bless you too Osofo Isaac! We pray more grace!