…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. [1]
…the
LORD said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and
everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." So Moses made a serpent
of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that
person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.[2]
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness:
Interminable walking, waiting, and
watching; decades of doubt and disappointment blunted Israel’s desire. Any
spark of hope had long been extinguished, in the delay to accommodate the
passing of an entire generation. Desert heat, dangers of the wilderness,
contributed to the reckless desperation of speaking against God. Israel should
have known better for by this time the people had witnessed the wrath of God
against unfaithfulness in more ways than one. It was faithlessness that drove
them into exile, and faithlessness that brought God’s punishment upon them in
the form of serpents. When bitten, searing venom coursed through one’s veins
bringing agonizing death. Penitently, leaders approached Moses seeking relief
from the curse among them. Moses in turn spoke to God, and received a plan of
action to be followed by anyone who was bitten. It did not include the removal
of the serpents, but a remedy for people poisoned. Israel had demonstrated its
faithlessness, and as the antidote, a display of faith was required for a
victim to be cured. Moses at God’s bidding made a bronze snake, placed it on a
pole for those bitten to see and be healed.
Most references to “serpent” in scripture
are figurative; in the account mentioned by Jesus, the serpent would have been
an actual poisonous snake. Israel had an antipathy to the snake because of its
role in the fall of man, “that
ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan.”[3] Israel like Eve was deceived by Satan, causing people to criticize
God. “… I am afraid that as the
serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a
sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”[4]
Faithlessness could only be remediated by a positive
act of faith. By looking at the bronze image of a serpent (symbolizing Satan), the
wounded were healed by the mercy of God. Satan’s deceit of Israel lead to rebellion;
which was met with death from the venom of poisonous snakes. Death from the
bite of those snakes symbolized Satan’s pernicious nature. Being under Satan’s
control results in death. In the same way the serpent instilled dissatisfaction
into Eve’s mind, he manipulated the minds of Israel, which led them into action
that brought death from lethal snake bites. When they believed God’s word they
were healed by acting on their faith. God used the image of a serpent, which
was a symbol of Satan, as an instrument of faith leading to healing.
The Son of Man must be lifted up:
…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.
Now
is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.[5]
The lifting of the bronze snake in the
wilderness is considered a type with Jesus being the antitype. The cross
represented death. The grave represented absence from God. And, the
resurrection represented victory over death and Satan. Israel gained victory
over Satan by putting their faith in God. All who looked at the bronze snake
were healed. All who believe in Jesus are saved, from the snare of Satan, and
banishment from God. Jesus battled Satan crushing his head in the victory of
the resurrection and by offering life to all believers.
Now is the judgment of this world; now the
ruler of this world will be driven out.
The leaders, chief priest among them had,
as it were, signed a death warrant for Jesus. Satan, manipulating the envy and
insecurity of the Jewish council was in control, ready to bring about the death
of God’s Son. The backdrop to events was Jesus’ triumphant entry into
Jerusalem; adulation and praise announced his progress. The council’s plan to
arrest and kill Jesus was Satan’s device by which he intended to destroy the
Son of God. To everyone watching, the cross was the end of the man who claimed to
be the Messiah. To the blood-lust intoxicated crowed the Nazarene would
challenge their conscience no more. Satan supposed he would be unopposed in his
deception. Contradicting evil assumptions, Jesus stated that Satan would “be
driven out”.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all people to myself.
The world focused on the demise of Jesus,
the righteous mourned, while evil celebrated his death –the death of an
imposter. Some would have thought Jesus’ words hollow, when he said, “now the ruler of this world will be driven out.”
Or, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Being lifted up referenced the manner of his death, crucifixion. The world will
be judged, Satan will be driven out of the world, but as for me –I will be
victorious. Jesus said that all those who came to him would be given life. Not
his exact words, but that is what the cross means for people who believe. We
should never think that there is a different way, nor should we believe we can
do it on our own. The only access to God is via the cross. Moses elevated the
bronze snake. Israelites with venom in their veins could by lifting their eyes be
healed by the love of God. We need to lift our eyes from the troubles and
pressures of earth to look at the cross.
The greatest lesson
for me looking at the lifted Lord is, ‘that it is not always what it appears to
be.’ There was finality in a crucifixion, it was horribly painful,
dehumanizing, and shameful. I can only imagine the despair of believers
watching as their hopes died with Jesus. They could not understand that it
wasn’t what it seemed to be –that realization would come later. People today can’t
experience that same faith-jolting scene, but we will all face situations that
challenge our faith. Through electronic media we witness the horror of death
and destruction. We all feel the anxiety of living in a world that disregards
God. And, we all feel threatened by evil intent. Our assurance comes from looking
to the lifted Lord. To those intent on evil, the cross was and is an illusion
of victory, to believers the cross is absolute victory.
On the cross Jesus was
suspended between the earth and heavens. To access God’s gift it is necessary
to lift our eyes from the earth to focus on Jesus who is the path between earth
and eternity. The cross was not what it seemed to be: not for believers who
didn’t understand God’s plan, nor for the enemies of Jesus who thought they had
succeeded in killing him.
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with
perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and
perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right
hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself
from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.[6]
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