Jesus and the Old Testament (Bronze Serpent)

The story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 has perplexed readers for years. God tells Moses to set up a bronze serpent so that everyone who looks at it will be healed. Seems to act almost like an idol for a God who is very strict on not letting His people worship other gods. So what is going on in this story and how does Jesus view it? Let’s dive in. 

First off, in the story, the people are never called to worship the serpent but only look at it to receive healing. We certainly know it is God who provides the healing by why set up this serpent?

In John 3:14, Jesus has been conversing with religious leaders of his day. He is speaking to one Pharisee, a man by the name of Nicodemus. Nicodemus comes to him at night asking Jesus questions. Jesus explains to Nicodemus the concept of being born again. Nicodemus does not understand so Jesus gives him a full explanation about believing his testimony. Jesus claims to be from heaven calling himself the Son of Man. He then references this serpent story in v.14-15, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

There certainly seems to be a direct contrast between the snake in the wilderness to Jesus’ prediction of death on the cross. 

The snake was lifted on a pole for all to see, Jesus was hung on a cross for all to see. 

Israel looked at the snake to be healed. Christians look to Jesus for eternal life.  

For Israel, all they had to do was lay eyes on the snake. For followers of Jesus, we must do more than that. We must truly believe in what Jesus can do for us and what has already been done on the cross. Israel was only healed of disease. We are saved from the true disease, sin and death, if we believe. For Nicodemus, it was the belief part that he needed most. Jesus was standing right in front of him, he could see him, just as Israel saw the snake. But he lacked faith in Jesus, something we all need to be saved. 

For Jesus, what happened in the wilderness pointed to a greater reality that He Himself would fulfill. He would be lifted up in death and he would provide healing and life to all who would look to Him and believe.