Snakes

“Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.”~Numbers 21:8 HCSB

The people of Israel were complaining about being in the desert.  They were tired of the food, tired of not having enough water.  They longed to go back to the slavery of Egypt.  The Lord became angry and sent poisonous snakes to bit the people complaining.  People ran to Moses and asked him to intercede to God because of their sin.  Moses did as the people requested and the Lord answered telling Moses to put a bronze snake on a pole and lift it high in the air and all who looked at it would recover if they were bitten. 

Jesus used this story to describe His coming and how the cross would be used to save people from their sin.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.”  (John 3:14-15) Jesus would be lifted up on the cross and all who believe in Him would be saved from the poison of sin.  Through Christ we are forgiven and will have eternal life. This also means we are to keep our eyes on Christ to stay away from sin.  When you find yourself struggling with temptation and sin look at Christ on the cross, focus on His death for you and His resurrection and you will recover from the bit of sin.

Lord thank you for the cross, where we find forgiveness and eternal life. It is also were we find recovery from the bit of sin.  Help us to look to the cross when we struggle with temptation and sin.  Lord forgive us where we have sinned and help us to live a life worthy of Your calling.  Amen