“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:14-17)

The Pharisees taught plainly that heaven and blessings of God were for the Jews only. Some even felt that the Pharisees were the only ones who deserved the favor of God. Their view of the Messiah was that he would be like a knight in shining armor who would come and deliver the Jews from all the nations of the earth. They believed the Messiah would put their enemies under them as they reigned with God in heaven.

It must have been a shock for Nicodemus to hear Jesus declaring Himself to be the Messiah and the Son of God! Even more shocking is what Jesus says next.

The Messiah will die.

Why?

So that not only the elect among the Jews would be saved from their sins but also God’s people among the Gentiles. That is how much God loves His people. He is willing to give up His eternally begotten Son to save men whom He will adopt as sons.

This text is not an offer of salvation to whosoever will believe it. It is a declaration of the atoning work of the Messiah that will redeem men from every nation on earth. The word “whosoever” declares that there will be children of God among the Gentiles, not just the Jews. Their belief is evidence of their election not the cause.

The Pharisees were close, but they had the wrong definition of who would be saved and the wrong timing of when the Messiah would come in His full glory. Make no mistake about it, He will come!

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28)