April 9, 2003
Reading: John 3:1-21

 

“As Moses lifted up the serpent” (14)

 

The event to which Jesus referred is recorded in Numbers 21:4-9. It is one of the many dramatic stories in the Old Testament which foreshadowed that which was fulfilled in the Person and work of the Messiah – Jesus Christ. One thing that makes this particular story different from most is that Jesus Himself referred to it. It is well known that the serpent lifted up on the pole typifies Jesus crucified on a cross. Israel became discouraged and spoke against God, and He sent “fiery serpents” among them, “and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.” Moses prayed for them and God provided a remedy to the deathly bites inflicted by the serpents. The remedy was to make a serpent of brass and nail it to an uplifted pole so all the people could see it.

The narrative in Numbers says, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’” When Jesus refers to this incident, He says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:14. When Jesus interprets the serpent story, He changes the word ‘looks’ to ‘believe.’ Jesus is telling His hearers how they may be saved – by believing.

So, what does it mean to believe? It means to look upon Jesus. Looking on the serpent in the Old Testament is equivalent to believing on Jesus Christ in the New Testament. That which was physical in the O.T. is spiritual in the N.T. It is impossible for you and I to physically look on the Person of Jesus – we are on earth and He is in heaven. Is this not our great expectation, to see Jesus face to face in glory? But, for those of us who still live here, we can believe. We believe on Jesus for salvation (John 3:16), we believe on Him for strength and ability to walk the Christian walk, and we believe on Him to fulfill His promises to us for both our lives here and in eternity.

There is a wonderful verse that encourages us to do just that – look to Jesus for help now and for our hope and assurance in the future, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” Heb 12:2. These words follow that glorious chapter on faith that begins with the definition of faith, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Heb 11:1. One tells us to look to Jesus, and the other that faith is the evidence of things not seen! As Christians, when we believe we put faith into action.

God’s people are often called upon to suffer, yet the cry of their heart is for Him to be glorified in their suffering. How can one who is suffering keep from depression and despondency? “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” Ps 34:5. So much of the scripture is written in the continuous present tense. In other words God’s promises are not a one time thing but continuous, and we are exhorted to walk, grow, endure, etc., not once but continually. Such is the thought in the previously quoted scripture, “Looking (keep on looking continuously) unto Jesus.” “And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (Heb 12:1-2 – New Living Translation).

Looking up to Jesus on the emerald throne,

Faith shall pierce the heavens, where our King has gone.

Lord, on Thee depending, now, continually,

Heart and mind ascending, Let us dwell with Thee.