Jesus and the snake

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.” 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. John 3:14-16

Is there any verse in the Bible better known than John 3:16? - “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”.

Probably not.

But are there any verses in the Bible less well known than John 3:14-15? – that strange little passage about Moses “lifting up the snake in the wilderness”.

Not many!

Yet here these two passages are, right next to one another on the lips of Jesus – in fact, not two passages at all, but all part of the same passage. How strange that Jesus should choose to illustrate the meaning of his life and death by referring back to this (to us) obscure Old Testament story about… a snake! It’s worthwhile to refresh our minds by looking at the relevant passage, Numbers 21:4-9…

They travelled 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 wilderness? 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, they lived.

What on earth does John 3:16 have to do with that story? Answer: A lot!

First, both stories are about judgement and death.

In Numbers 21 the people of Israel are wandering in the desert after escaping from Egypt. And they are not happy. They grumble against Moses – and against God. So God decides to teach them a lesson by allowing a plague of venomous snakes to attack them. Many of them die.

In John 3 Jesus is teaching about a far more serious plague attacking the whole human race: the plague which the Bible calls “sin”, or human rebellion against God. It’s a plague that leads in the end not just to a painful physical death, but to eternal, spiritual death.

Second, both stories are about God’s provision of a remedy.

In Numbers 21 the people realise how wrong and stupid they have been and plead with Moses to pray for them. Which he does. And God’s answer is to tell him to make this bronze snake and hoist it up on a pole. Just looking up at the snake will bring about the healing of the sufferer. Such is the love and mercy of God!

In John 3 Jesus compares himself to the snake (how extraordinary is that!): in the same way “the Son of Man must be lifted up” (verse 14), which is obviously a reference to his coming crucifixion. Such, again, is the love and mercy of God.

Third, both stories are about faith.

In Numbers 21 the person suffering the snake-bite is not told to do anything in particular to help him or herself, but simply to look at the snake. The word “faith” isn’t mentioned; but obviously faith was needed to be willing to do that.

In John 3 Jesus says that anyone who simply looks to him in faith – “who “believes in me” - not attempting to do anything, “will not perish but have eternal life” (verse 16).

We might be tempted to ask, But how did these remedies “work”? Why would putting a bronze snake on a pole be any use? And why would Jesus being lifted up on a cross achieve anything?

No explanation is given in either passage (though elsewhere in the New Testament we find quite detailed explanations). All that matters is: Accept what you are told and take advantage of it! God knows what he is doing. Just believe!

Of course, no one is under an obligation to receive the remedy. Picture a man lying in his tent groaning with the pain of a snake bite. His neighbour comes running: “Great news! Moses has had this bronze snake made, and all you have to do is look at it and you will be healed!” And what does the man do? He turns up his nose: “Nonsense! How could that possibly work! My snake-bite will heal up in a day or two”. But how wrong can you be…

And likewise with Jesus. No-one has to accept his death on the cross as the remedy for their sin. But… “whoever does not believe stands condemned… because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (verse 18).

To refuse to believe in the God-given remedy for sin is, says Jesus, to “love darkness instead of light” (verse 19). We have that privilege if we so choose. But it makes no more sense than choosing to let a deadly snake-bite do its worst.

We each need to ask where we stand in this. Do we simply accept God’s provided remedy, or refuse it? Do we come out of the darkness and into the light, or choose to stay in the darkness?

Which is it to be?

Lord God, thank you that you have taught us that humble, simple faith in Jesus and his cross is all that is needed to receive forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to cherish this good news – and to pass it on to others. Amen.