Just Look
A strange remedy indeed—a bronze serpent lifted high on a pole as the cure for deadly venom. For centuries, this incident in the wilderness must have puzzled readers. Why would God command His people to look upon the image of the very creature that had inflicted their pain? Yet, in His infinite wisdom, God was painting a picture of salvation that would only be fully understood in Christ.
In the wilderness, those bitten by the serpent faced certain death. Their salvation did not come from performing great deeds, crafting their own remedies, or relying on their status or wisdom. It came through an act of simple obedience and faith: looking at the bronze serpent, trusting that God’s promise was true.
This scene comes alive in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, where He reveals the deeper meaning of the bronze serpent. It was a shadow of His own mission. Just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, so the Son of Man would be lifted up on the cross. And just as the serpent became the symbol of life for those dying of venom, Christ became the source of eternal life for sinners poisoned by sin.
Christ, unlike the bronze serpent, bore the fullness of sin's curse. Though sinless, He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), taking on Himself the penalty of death that we deserved. This is the great exchange: He takes our sin, and we receive His righteousness.
But how do we receive this salvation? By the look of faith. Just as those in the wilderness had only to look at the serpent to live, so we are called to look to Jesus in faith to be saved. It is not the strength of our faith that saves but the object of our faith. Whether our faith feels weak or strong, it is Christ alone who redeems.
And this grace is offered to all. It does not matter who you are or what you have done. The vilest sinner and the most upright moralist are alike in their need of Christ. Salvation is as near as a believing glance toward the One who was lifted up for you.
So, look to Jesus. Trust in Him. And live.
