The Bronze Snake and the Raised Savior
Jesus says we must be born again, made spiritually alive by God. It’s something we cannot possibly do for ourselves. We can only look to God for it.
To help Nicodemus understand, Jesus drew on one of the stranger stories in Scripture. In the wilderness, the Israelites grumbled against God, and He sent venomous snakes among them. As people were bitten and dying, they cried out for help.
God’s solution was unexpected: He told Moses to forge a bronze serpent, set it on a pole, and lift it high for all to see. Anyone who was bitten and looked at the bronze snake would be healed and live.
Bronze often symbolizes judgment, and the snake was the very thing afflicting them.
Why a bronze snake? Bronze often symbolizes judgment, and the snake was the very thing afflicting them. God didn’t create a bronze vaccination shot—He fashioned an image of the problem itself.
Jesus then made an astounding claim: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that whoever believes will in him have eternal life.”
When Jesus was lifted up on the cross, He became sin for us—He became the very thing killing us. Our selfishness, our brokenness, our separation from God—all of it was placed on Him. And when He was lifted up, God the Father judged Him in our place.
When Jesus was lifted up on the cross, He became sin for us—He became the very thing killing us.
Now the invitation is simple yet profound: look to Him and believe. See your sins placed on Jesus and God judging Him in your place—and live.
Look to Jesus and believe. See your sins placed on Jesus and God judging Him in your place—and live.
Trust that He paid for the sins that are ruining your relationships, stealing your peace, and separating you from God. Believe, and you will have eternal life.