Adam White

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” – John 3:14-15

Whenever I had read this verse in the past I had always glossed over the fact that Jesus compares himself to a snake. The snake in the bible is most famously used to portray Satan in the garden of Eden. This does not make the snake a good animal to compare yourself to.

So why does Jesus compare himself to a snake in this scripture?

First let’s understand which snake he is referring to:

“They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” – Numbers 21:4-9

This is the snake Jesus is referring to and as soon as I read this passage my heart lept. This snake that Moses put on a pole was put there so that all who look upon it will be healed. Sound familiar?

Everytime Jesus talks about being “lifted up” he is referring to his death and resurrection (see also John 8:28 and John 12:32). So what he is alluding to is when Jesus is crucifed and dies for us, anyone who believes in him and “sees” him for who he truely is will be saved. Just like those that look at the snake will be healed.

I find parallels in the bible like this absolutely amazing. It always increases my faith when I see Jesus alluding to old testament passages which actually talk all about him. It’s amazing that if you read the old testament in light of Jesus it is revealed to say so much more. God is amazing!

This post was based on a talk by John Piper. To listen/read the whole talk visit desiringgod.com

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