“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
John 3:14-16 (NAB)
Jesus spoke these words about the exodus story of the bronze or brass serpent that was placed upon a tall pole. Everyone has seen the image of this serpent wrapped around a pole, sometimes with wings. It originated three millenniums ago, from the exodus story which later evolved into a universal medical symbol. The symbol has been sewn into medical patches, used in logos and appeared on many lab coats.
The story took place after God saved His chosen people, through the parting of the sea. A huge multitude of people who were miraculously delivered from slavery, passed through a parted sea on dry ground, and now had their freedom.
Instead of being grateful to God, they became frustrated in the wilderness and persistently complained. Moses tried to help them survive physically, while also trying to rekindle their faith in God. The people quickly turned against Moses due to the scarcity of water, food and the basic comforts of life. They told him that they had enough of the manna, the bread from heaven, which they grew tired of, calling it “wretched food.”
What an insult it was to God, to scorn the heavenly bread sent from heaven.
Moses didn’t know what to do next, and as their rebellious attitude worsened, God stepped in and sent venomous snakes into their camps, to chastise them. After many people were bitten by the influx of poisonous snakes, they began to repent, begging Moses to pray for them.
Moses prayed and interceded for his people, asking the Lord to forgive and heal them from the poisonous bites. The Lord then instructed Moses to make a serpent out of bronze and mount it on a tall pole. Then God said that anyone who looks up at the bronze serpent on the pole will be healed of their snake bites.
It sounds like an odd solution but it foreshadowed the plan of salvation for the world. What a merciful God we have, who forgave and healed the people, even though they were irreverent and rude.
If anyone thinks the God of the Old Testament was harsh, this story is an illustration of God’s patience and mercy towards His people. It’s also an example of what intercessory prayer can do. They didn’t deserve it and could never earn it, but God simply loves us so much, He provides a way of forgiveness and healing, as a free gift of His grace.
Jesus was the living bread God sent from heaven, who was also scorned by many people, just like the first bread from heaven was. Once again, God’s love and mercy brought healing and forgiveness to all who would repent, and believe in His Son on that cross.
Jesus brought up this exact bible story and followed up by saying that God so loved this world that He gave His only son for us. (John 3:16)
The motive is simply God’s unconditional love for the world. As that serpent on a pole brought forgiveness and healing, by gazing at it, Jesus was saying that He is the one to look up to now.
He is our source of forgiveness and healing, since He was lifted up on a cross. He is now lifted up in everlasting glory, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.
In this world, which is filled with serpents of many kinds, God’s mercy is still extended to anyone who will look up to Jesus for forgiveness and healing. It doesn’t matter what kind of serpent bite we are dealing with, because God’s love and mercy is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Lord God, we thank you for loving us so much more than we deserve. As your people found mercy and forgiveness in the wilderness, by looking at the serpent on a pole, we receive your forgiveness, healing and restoration today, in faith as we look to Jesus on the cross, and worship Him in His everlasting glory. Amen
Serpent on pole Jesus on the cross
Example of its use as a logo