A Snake on a Pole and Jesus

"Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die."
~John 12:30-33

Right before these verses above, Jesus is talking about His end and said to the Father, "Father, glorify your name!"

Then out loud from Heaven God spoke for everyone to hear, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Some of the people there thought it was thunder others though and angel spoke but we know from the text it was God. Can you imagine the God of the universe speaking out loud for a crowd of us to hear Him all at the same time? That is amazing.

Now look to the text I posted above in John 12:30-33. Jesus tells us why and what is up. He was telling them how men and women would come to Jesus and what kind of death He would die which we know is death on a cross. He was nailed to this object and lifted up to hang there until He slowly died.

But there are some other amazing treasures through the word that point to this place. I will point out two today that really stirred my heart about how God's word is perfect and complete.

Take a journey to the Old Testament with me. The children of Israel are again complaining after God has provided for them over and over again. When that happens again this is what God does.

Numbers 21:6-9 states, "Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

God had the power to take away those snakes upon repentance but He chose instead to give them a snake on a pole to look at for the cure. He left the snakes with them. Have you ever been in a situation where you just wish God would take it away? Sometimes He chooses not to. Sometimes we have to walk through things but God is always there to get us through if we keep our eyes on Him. That was what was meant in creating the snake on the pole. Unfortunately sometime later the children of Israel chose to worship it. Probably after the harmful snakes were gone. This snake on a pole was to represent their need for keeping their eyes on Jesus to come. Here is how we know.

We also are bitten by the poisonous sting of sin. We need a way to take it away from us lest we die. Just as a poisonous snake bite can kill you. God provided that cure through Jesus. John 3:14-15 states, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Isn't it amazing how God's word fits together perfectly? Let us keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the only true healer. Any problem in life He can get us through if we keep our eyes on Him. Our circumstances may not change but He never leaves or forsakes us. He is our hope.

Father thank you for your rich word full of treasures! I am amazed by it day by day. Lord open our eyes to see you and know you better each day. Guide us in the right way and help us to keep our eyes on you lest we turn to complaining. We love you. In Jesus Name. Amen.