To be nearsighted means we cannot see very far; we can only see up close. This passage refers to one who isn't seeing Christ's finished work on the cross, and as a result, has turned inward and is living in a selfish (self-focused, self-indulgent) way, demonstrating with their life that they have forgotten the cleansing work of the cross!
So, because we tend to forget the cross and become ineffective and unproductive in our Christian lives, Peter concludes this section of his book by saying:
“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body.” 2 Peter 1:12-13 (NIV)
Do you see the importance of being reminded of the work Christ did for us?
This passage teaches us the importance of renewing our vision of the cross, turning to "see" Christ-crucified and "looking" at what He accomplished for us on the cross. For us who have had our vision taken up with food binges or other forms of idolatry, this is an absolute necessity. We must turn to the Lord and remember His death. We must wash at the cross if we want to experience freedom and spiritual growth.
Let's look at an illustration of this from the Old Testament.
As we read the history of the Israelite nation in the Bible, we can learn many incredible lessons from the things they experienced (1 Corinthians 10:11). During their wilderness march to the Promised Land, the Israelites faced many different problems, each resembling our walk through this world on our way to heaven.
At one point in their journey, the Israelites became thirsty and hungry and began complaining. They grumbled against God and their leaders. In response, God sent fiery snakes among them. Snake-bitten, many died and were dying. Moses cried out to God, and God gave Moses the solution:
“The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” Numbers 21:8-9 (NIV)
Question 3. What did the Israelites need to do to be free of the venom from the snakebites?
What an odd solution to the snakebite problem, right? To turn and look at the uplifted snake on a pole? God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His ways sometimes do not make sense to us (Isaiah 55:9 NIV).
I can imagine some snake-bitten Israelites hearing this message and thinking: “That’s ridiculous. Everyone knows you need to examine the wound, cut into it, and draw out the venom!” Some may have scoffed at the solution and died because of it.
And what was God teaching here? We gain some understanding when we read Jesus’ interpretation of the passage:
“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:13-15 (NIV)
Now we see that the uplifted pole with a snake on it pointed forward to the cross.
Question 4. What does the message to “turn and look” (Numbers 21:8 NIV) point forward to, according to Jesus’ statement in John 3:15?
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