3:14-15 What is the significance of the serpent Jesus refers to here that Moses lifted up in the wilderness?
3:14-15 What is the significance of the serpent Jesus refers to here that Moses lifted up in the wilderness?
(CP Nu 21:5-9). The lifting up of the brazen serpent on the pole here was an Old Testament type of the crucifixion of Christ and the benefits of the cross that can be obtained by all who look to Jesus for their salvation. As the serpent was a symbol of sin, so Jesus was made a sin offering (CP 2Cor 5:21).
As the Israelites who looked upon the brazen serpent were healed, so too there is bodily healing for believers in the cross of Christ (CP Isa 53:4-5; Ga 3:13; 1Pe 2:24).
As the Israelites who looked upon the brazen serpent were given new life, so repentant sinners who look to Christ are given eternal life (CP Jn 3:16).
As the brazen serpent on the pole brought peace and reconciliation with God for the repentant Israelites, so Christ on the cross reconciled repentant sinners to God (CP 2Cor 5:18; Col 1:20-22).
Faith was necessary to look upon the serpent to be healed and given new life, and faith is also necessary to look to Jesus for bodily healing and everlasting life (CP Ro 3:21-26).