And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:14, 15).
Because of their sins the children of Israel were attacked by "fiery serpents” in their wilderness journey (Numbers 21). Thousands died. By divine instruction Moses made a serpent of brass and erected it upon a pole. Then all who looked upon it were healed. This was an enacted prophecy of Christ and His death for our sins.
Notice, the Son of man must be lifted up, must die, if we are to live. At the cross His bitter enemies said, AHe saved others; himself he cannot save” (Matt. 27:42). They never told a greater truth. To save men, He had to die. That's why He came to this world—“to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). And notice this: God used death, the terrible wages of sin, to destroy sin and death and to bring eternal life to all believers. A look at the brazen serpent healed the serpent’s bite. At last it will be seen that our Saviour’s death upon the cross was really the death of death.
Read today’s promise text again and emphasize the word "whosoever.” That includes all of us if we will believe.
MEDITATION PRAYER:"Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved” (Psalms 80:7).