"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 everlasting 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."–John 3:14-16

Great numbers of people have memorized John 3:16 and can quote it at will. Yet, when asked about what precedes it, many draw a blank look. John 3:16 makes no sense at all unless you understand the whole context. Perhaps this is the reason there is so much confusion about the love of God today, because so many ignore the foundation upon which God’s love is built. That is, His holiness.

Notice that John 3:16 begins with "for." The love of God for sinners in this world is the result of God first having satisfied His own justice and righteousness, in order that He might justly show mercy to sinners who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone.

The remedy for sin (John 3:14) is Christ being lifted up in death as an offering for sin, to satisfy the Father’s justice. Before God can show mercy to any, He had to satisfy His own justice, Romans 3:24,25.

The result of God’s remedy (John 3:15) is the salvation of all who put their trust in God’s Eternal Son, Jesus Christ. It is not their believing that makes it effectual. Nor does unbelief make it void. Faith is the gift of God. He causes all to believe for whom His Son died, John 6: 64,65. The rest remain under His eternal wrath and condemnation, John 3:36.

The reason for the remedy (John 3:16) is that God loved a people from every tribe nation and tongue, for whom He delivered up His Son. Jesus Christ has redeemed them unto God by His blood, Rev. 5:9. They love Him because He first loved them, I Jn. 4:19

In the Old Testament, God ordered Moses to lift up a brazen serpent (symbol of sin and death) on a pole. The only remedy for those who were bitten by the fiery serpents was to gaze upon the serpent. This was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, lifted up in death, as the God appointed sacrifice for sin.

The Holy Spirit must give you eyes to look away from yourself, your works, and your own efforts, unto Christ crucified alone. That is where all believers in Christ look continually for their righteousness, forgiveness of sin, and hope of eternal life. As the Son of Man, lifted up, He is exalted before God the Father, and He is exalted in the hearts of His people whom He has redeemed.