In John 3 we have a record of a conversation between Nicodemus, A Pharisee, and Jesus. Jesus cuts right to the point and tells Nicodemus that “unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Naturally, Nicodemus finds this a little strange and Jesus helps him understand. Then Jesus reaches through the pages of history to a story from Numbers 21 to help Nicodemus understand. Out of all the stories and prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that foretell of Jesus, why choose this story? Why did Jesus choose to remind Nicodemus of the Moses lifting up the bronze snake in the wilderness story?
Of course, we don’t know what Jesus was thinking for sure. But there are some interesting things to note that give us a glimpse into why Jesus may have chosen this story to illustrate how Nicodemus could be born again.
Jesus told the Pharisees that they would lift him up.
Only one other time in the gospels does Jesus say that someone/something is going to “life up the son of man.” That reference can be found in John 8:28. This chapter records a conversation Jesus has with some people and the Pharisees. They wanted to know who Jesus was. In John 8:28 he tells them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
It sounds like Jesus was telling Nicodemus that when you crucify me, remember what happened with Moses in the wilderness. Moses lifted up the serpent so people could be saved. You lifted up me so that I may save you and the world like I’ve been telling you. So, know that I am God and believe in me.
We know that Nicodemus was there when Jesus died (John 19:39). Nicodemus helped bury Jesus. I think Nicodemus knew who Jesus was when he, and his people, “lifted up the Son of Man,” just like Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness.
2. Moses (The Law Giver) Lifted up the thing that provided salvation (The Bronze Snake)
God gave the Law through Moses. In this moment when people were bitten by a snake God told Moses to take something in the likeness of the thing that was killing them and put it on a pole. (See note below about why “likeness” is important. Why didn’t Moses just spear an actual snake, rather than go through the trouble of making one out of bronze?)
I wonder if this is somewhat of a picture of the law “lifting up” Jesus. Meaning, the law wasn’t going to save anyone from the snake bites. The law was powerless to heal. But it, Moses, lifted up the thing that could save. Fast forward to Jesus. Jesus was lifted up by the keepers of the Law, the Pharisees. The keepers of the law could not save anyone, but they lifted up the one who could bring eternal life and healing to everyone that looks to Him.
Special Note: Likeness of a snake on a pole?
Why didn’t Moses put a real snake up on the pole? Wouldn’t that have been easier than taking the time to make a bronze replica of a snake. The reason is that this snake was a type. It was ultimately a symbol of Jesus.
The bronze snake was a symbol of the people’s sin. To put a real snake on the pole would mean that the people’s sin was literally lifted up on the pole. Fast forward to Jesus. Jesus was our sinless substitute. Jesus was lifted up on a cross as a man, but unlike a normal man, he wasn’t a sinner. But in that moment, he took on himself the sin of every man. Jesus became cursed so that we could be healed. Jesus died so that anyone who looks to him could be forgiven and set free.
So, Jesus had the appearance and likeness of real man yes, but he was no sinner like every other person has been. The bronze snake looked like the thing that represented the people’s sin, but it was just a symbol of it. The same is true with Jesus. Jesus was made in the same appearance and likeness of every man (100% man), but He was also different, He was God (100% God).
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