Jesus and the Serpent Connection
You know when we are thinking in “biblical ways”, we often automatically put different things in certain categories of good or bad. We often instantly think of angels as always good. Often ignoring that Satan and his demons were once angels themselves. We often consider serpents or snakes as bad. I know I do. Even here on earth there is only one good kind of snake and that is a dead one. But the snake is one of God’s creations just like me. In today’s post I hope we can see how we sometimes have to think a little more openly to accept what God is teaching.
John chapter 3 is one of the most commonly read chapters in the Bible. It certainly contains the most recognized verse (16). But in this chapter is a lesson that Jesus teaches that often goes unnoticed. Jesus references a happening in the book of Numbers chapter 21 to teach His thought.
In John chapter 3, Jesus is visited by a noted religious leader of the Jews named Nicodemus. This visit occurs in the middle of the night because Nicodemus does not want people to know that he is having anything to do with Jesus of Nazareth. He certainly doesn’t want his colleagues to know. However, given his position in society and the risk he was taking socially with friends and family, you have to give Nicodemus credit for coming to Jesus. He was taking a huge risk if he was caught with this radical teacher.
Nicodemus had a pressing matter on his mind. He wanted to understand fully who Jesus was. And when Jesus mentions that a man must be born again to receive the kingdom of God, Nicodemus jumps in with both feet wanting to understand what that means. As their conversation continues, Jesus gives Nicodemus a little preview in what was to happen shortly into the future.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14,15
Notice the reference of where these verses come from. They are the two verses that precede the most memorized verse in the Bible. Most often when we hear a sermon or lesson from this scripture, we will hear about Nicodemus’ question about being born again and then jump right to verse 16. But what was Jesus referring to in verses 14 and 15? It must have been common knowledge back in this time because the way He says it makes it sound like He assumes Nicodemus understands what He is referring to. And notice that Nicodemus doesn’t stop Him and say ‘What are you talking about?’. So what is this reference of Jesus?
In Numbers 21, we find Moses and the Israelites wandering around fighting battles and trying to make their way to the Promised Land. God had just led them to victory over King Arad. But once again the people begin to complain about God and the situation they were in. They once again whine about how they had been brought out of Egypt only to die in the wilderness. They complained about the manna (bread) that God provided for them miraculously each day. They were never satisfied and always wanted more. (Sounds very familiar for me personally)
So what does God do? He gets a little mad and sends what the Bible refers to as “fiery” serpents among the people. The snakes bite a lot of the people and many die. Needless to say, this got the people’s attention and they immediately run to Moses asking him to go to God and ask that the snakes be removed from them. They admitted that they had sinned against the Lord. Moses does as the people ask and prays to God.
God responds to Moses’ prayer but not in the way that I think they expected. You see the people wanted the snakes removed, but God didn’t do that. He didn’t remove the punishment for the sin but He did provide a way out.
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” Numbers 21:8,9
God told Moses to build a serpent on a pole and tell everyone who is bitten, that if they will look on the serpent they will live. Now the easiest thing to do in our human mind is to remove the actual snakes and nobody gets bitten to begin with. But if God had gone that route, He would have been removing the consequence of the initial sin. It would have gone against His very nature which is to judge sin. It would be like a judge in our court system deciding to allow a thief or a murderer to go free with no consequence for their actions. And if the judge did that, He would not be just and right. He would now be considered a “crooked” judge. A crooked judge cannot administer justice. God was also requiring faith from the people for them to be physically saved. They had to listen to what God told them and follow through with what He said. This was the only way God provided for the people to be delivered from death. Plus the decision was left up to the people. God provided a way, but they had to accept it and take it.
Back to John 3. Jesus uses this situation to compare to His coming death. He tells Nicodemus that in a short time that He too will be lifted up just like the snake on a pole. Hindsight being what it is , we know that Jesus was referring to His coming death on a cross. He was telling Nicodemus that His death on the cross was going to be the only way for people to be saved, just like looking at the serpent on a pole was the only way the Israelites could be saved. There is no other way. The consequence of sin is eternal death and separation from God. He is not going to remove the consequence but He does provide a way out. But we have to believe it and accept it. We are no different that the Israelites in the wilderness. God has provided for us a way. It is a perfect way. It is the only way. It is through Jesus and Jesus alone.