In the Beginning: The Book of John (John 3:14-21[HCSB])

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

19 “This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.

21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Without a doubt Jesus’ own words are the best understanding of His intention for us. If you really want to know what Jesus did or said read the Gospels and keep an open heart and a keen eye. Do not let yourself be deceived. By that I mean to prevent us from deceiving ourselves for the benefit of our convenience. There is a very key word used in 3:17 which, I believe, is generally overlooked (intentionally) because it puts the onus back on each believer to decide for himself. The key word is “might.” Why is this so critical? It is critical because it does not say that Jesus would do this, but that He might. In essence He is saying that He will not override our own decision-making because He is a God of grace.

By the way, I have not found a translation consensus that disagrees with this wording, or wording like it. And yes, the King James 1611 version uses the same language.

In this way our salvation is predicated on our desire to be saved. This establishes a true covenant.

People love darkness because it literally covers a multitude of sins. It is a choice to seek the Light in the same way it is a choice to flip the switch in a darkened room … unless you like falling over chairs and cracking your shins on coffee tables (to use the metaphor).

This sounds really obvious, I know, but we make the craziest decisions, and come up with the most twisted rationale, to put off changing our current predicament. You might say this isn’t true, but you might be wrong.

And, finally, why the reference to snakes and Jesus? It is a reminder that Jesus was lifted up to save us from our sin in the same way the serpent was lifted up by Moses to save those who had been bitten.*

* see Numbers 21:8