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
"The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an
They knew that there was no virtue in the serpent itself, but it was a symbol of Christ; and the necessity of faith in His merits was thus presented to their minds.
--Heretofore many had brought their offerings to God, and had felt that in so doing they made ample atonement for their sins. They did not rely upon the Redeemer to come, of whom these offerings were only a type.
--The Lord would now teach them that their sacrifices, in themselves, had no more power or virtue than the serpent of brass, but were, like that, to lead their minds to Christ, the great sin offering. . . .
So the sinner may look to Christ, and live. He receives pardon through faith in the atoning sacrifice.
Unlike the inert and lifeless symbol,
Christ has power and virtue in Himself to heal the repenting sinner.
While the sinner cannot save himself, he still has something to do to secure salvation. "Him that cometh to me," says Christ, "I will in no wise cast out" (John 6: 37). But we must come to Him; and when we repent of our sins, we must believe that He accepts and pardons us."
God's Amazing Grace p.314 E.G.W.
