The Serpent (John 3:14-15)

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

In Genesis 3 we meet the serpent who deceived Eve into doubting and then disobeying God’s word. The serpent symbolizes all that is opposed to God and his created order and who brings sin and death in his wake. His role is to usurp God’s authority on earth.

In Leviticus the serpent is listed among the unclean animals the people of God are to avoid and comes to represent all that is unclean. In Numbers 21 we find the strange story of God telling Moses to construct a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole for all the people to look at trustingly after they have been bitten by poisonous serpents. By looking at it they will be healed. While not explicitly spelled out in this story, the work of the serpent in bringing sin and death to the people of God is judged.

In a similar way, Jesus says that he too will be lifted up and that all who look at him and believe will receive eternal life. The gospel declares that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that we can be forgiven. He went to the cross in our place to be judged and receive the penalty we deserved. In an ironic twist, Jesus defeats Satan not in power but in weakness, giving a new definition and meaning to grace. In addition, the gospel declares that the cross heals us from our sins and those sins committed against us.

Where has the serpent bitten you? Where are you bleeding? Where do you need healing in your life? Bring these issues to the cross of Christ today to be healed by the grace of God.