Jesus said in John 3: 14-15, just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. In the wilderness, God saved the Israelites from physical death resulting from snake bites. Jesus also came to save the world from eternal death resulting from sin or evil. In both instances, the snake referred to Satan.
Whilst in the wilderness, God gave the Israelites renewed physical life and thereby turned their focus to Moses, Jesus also renewed lives spiritually thereby turning their attention to God through him. Just as the Israelites consulted Moses in the wilderness after snake bites, the Israelites consulted Jesus in Matthew 19: 16; Mark 10: 17; Luke 18: 18 “Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”
In answer, Moses told them to look at the snake on the tree and would be healed and live. Likewise, Jesus answered them in Matthew 19: 18; Mark 10: 19; Luke 18: 20, “You know the commandments.” The commandment is what Jesus says. John 3: 15-16 says, everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Eternal life comes from crucified and resurrected Jesus by his blood on the cross.
Accountability for sin
The Israelites had snake bites for their personal sins and many died. 2Chronicles 25: 4 says… each will die for their own sin. It is affirmed in Ezekiel 18: 4, the one who sins is the one who will die. Paul also said in Romans 6: 23, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus said in John 11: 25, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. Looking up to Jesus on his finished work on the cross will restore life to sinners. The Israelites believed God’s word and direction in the wilderness and lived, so will sinners be saved believing in God’s word and direction to look up to Jesus on the cross. Many of us are at the verge of death.
Irony of death and life in Jesus
In the wilderness, the snake caused the death and also became the source of life. In Christ Jesus, his rejection is death and his acceptance is eternal life. Jesus referred to Psalm 118: 22 and said in Matthew 21: 42; Mark 12: 10; Luke 20: 17, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (1Peter 2: 7). The irony is espoused in 1Thessalonians 5: 10, he (Jesus) died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
We must look up to Jesus and live because he is the Lord of both the dead and the living. 2Timothy 2: 11 says, if we died with him, we will also live with him. Who do we look up to for life and healing? The Israelites lifted their eyes to the snake on the tree by faith and got healed. Paul said in 2Corinthians 5: 7, for we live by faith, not by sight. It is our faith that but for Jesus’ death on the cross to which we look for our redemption, our souls would be lost in irredeemable death.
Saving power of Jesus
The Israelites looked up to the snake on the tree and lived. David looked up to God’s dwelling on the mountains and lived. We look up in faith to Christ Jesus on the cross and will live. Who are you lifting your eyes to for eternal life from eternal death? Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. David said in Psalms 55: 22, cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Look up to Christ Jesus and be saved!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we look up to you for the redemption of our souls from eternal death. Let the cross on which you led and died enrich our faith in you and be healed of our infirmities. Give us new lives in you in your blessed holy name, Amen!!
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