Significance of the Bronze Serpent: How Jesus Compared Himself to Ancient Biblical Symbol

The Significance of the Bronze Serpent in the Bible

In John 3:14-15, Jesus makes a comparison between himself and the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness, as recorded in Numbers 21:4-9. This comparison provides insight into Jesus' purpose and identity. Understanding the original Old Testament story helps uncover the meaning behind Jesus' words.

The Bronze Serpent in Numbers 21

During the Israelites' wilderness wanderings after the Exodus, they rebelled against God and Moses. As punishment, God sent venomous snakes among the people. Many were bitten and died. The Israelites confessed their sin and asked Moses to intercede for them. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. When the people looked upon the bronze serpent, they were healed.

Parallels Between the Bronze Serpent and Jesus

There are several parallels between the bronze serpent and Jesus:

• The serpent was lifted up - Jesus was lifted up on the cross.
• The serpent brought healing - Jesus' death brings spiritual healing from sin.
• Looking at the serpent saved people - looking to Jesus in faith saves people.

The Meaning Behind the Comparison

When Jesus equated himself with the bronze serpent, he revealed important aspects of his nature and work:

1. He came to save people from sin, just as God saved the Israelites from snakebites.
2. He would be "lifted up" on the cross as a sacrifice for sin.
3. People would be saved by looking to him in faith, just as faith was required to look at the bronze serpent.

The Crucial Role of Faith

The comparison emphasizes that faith is necessary to receive salvation and healing through Christ. Just as merely knowing about the bronze serpent didn't save lives, merely knowing about Jesus doesn't grant salvation. People had to intentionally look to the serpent, just as they must look to Jesus in faith.

Applying the Bronze Serpent Typology

This biblical typology has important modern applications:

Focus on Christ

When struggling with sin, believers must turn their focus to Christ, just as the Israelites turned to the bronze serpent. Regularly meditating on Christ's sacrificial love can bring spiritual healing and strength.

The Cure for Sin

The bronze serpent teaches that Jesus bore the consequence of sin on the cross so that those who look to him can be forgiven and transformed. He is the cure for the "snakebite" of sin.

Saving Faith

Salvation is received simply through faith in Christ, not through works or religious rituals. Like the Israelites, people must make a conscious choice to look to Jesus to be saved.

Christ's Victory

Though Christ bore humanity's sins, the bronze serpent assures that through his crucifixion and resurrection he achieved victory over sin and death.

A Heavenward Focus

As the serpent was lifted up on a pole, Jesus was lifted up on the cross and returned to heaven in victory. Believers can set their minds on the risen Christ above and the future hope of eternity with him.

The Enduring Relevance of the Bronze Serpent

The bronze serpent was a powerful symbol of God's mercy and Christ's redemption. Its importance did not end with the Israelites' wilderness experience. Hundreds of years later, Jesus drew on this ancient typology to teach about his coming sacrifice on the cross. This reveals the abiding significance of the Old Testament story. Just as the bronze serpent continued to point people to a savior, Christ calls people today to look to him in faith and receive spiritual healing and salvation.

FAQs

Why did God use a bronze serpent to heal people?

The bronze serpent was used as a tangible symbol that would test the Israelites' obedience and faith in God's instruction. Looking to the bronze serpent itself did not heal; it was a reminder to look to God for healing and deliverance.

Did the bronze serpent become an idol?

Later in Israel's history, the bronze serpent was worshipped as an idol before king Hezekiah destroyed it (2 Kings 18:4). The object originally given to turn people to God had been twisted into an object of worship.

How does Jesus fulfill the bronze serpent typology?

As the bronze serpent brought physical healing, Christ provides spiritual healing from sin and death. Just as the serpent was lifted up, Jesus was lifted up on the cross for people's salvation. Looking to Jesus in faith is the means of receiving eternal life.