The bronze serpent

Num. 21:4-9

As we follow the wanderings of the Israelites, we come to a place between mount Hor and the Red Sea where they began to grumble again. There they spoke against God and Moses. The LORD sent poisonous serpents who bit the Israelites. Many died. They came to Moses and Moses prayed for them. The LORD then told Moses what to do and Moses made a bronze serpent so that anyone who had been bitten would look at the serpent and live.

Here, the mere bronze serpent on the pole did not make the victims live. They had to do something – look at it. Those refusing to do so died.

In the New Testament, Jesus also said, “just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (Jn. 3:14-15). He also said, “when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (Jn. 12:32).

Just as the serpent was put on a pole, the Lord Jesus was also lifted up on the cross. Like those who looked at the serpent lived, everyone who believes in Jesus will also live. But everyone who refuses Him will not.