“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, they lived.” (Numbers 21:9, NIV)
The Story of the Bronze Snake
The people of Israel grumbled against God and Moses in the wilderness, so God allowed venomous snakes to come among them.
Many were bitten and died. When they confessed their sin, God gave Moses a strange command: make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Whoever looked at it, even if they were bitten, would live.
Why a bronze snake? Why were they asked to just look at it and be healed? These were some of my questions during my early days as a Christian.
Obviously, it wasn’t the metal snake that had power. It was God showing a prophetic picture of salvation. The serpent represents Satan, the old deceiver who brought sin and death into the world. The pole represents the cross. And the bronze snake lifted up was pointing to Christ, who would one day be lifted up on the cross, taking sin and death upon Himself. When God instructed Moses to lift the bronze snake on the pole, He was pointing to the day His Son, Jesus Christ, would be crucified—defeating Satan once and for all and setting free everyone who looks to Him from the power of sin and death.
What It Means for Us
Jesus Himself explained this:
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” (John 3:14–15, NIV)
The people of Israel couldn’t heal themselves. They couldn’t suck out the venom or invent an antidote. Their only hope was to look at the bronze snake God had provided. In the same way, you and I cannot save ourselves from sin, guilt, shame, or death. Our only hope is to look to Christ. Whoever looks to Him—truly believes—will be healed and live forever.
Picture lying in a hospital bed with a deadly illness. The doctor tells you there’s only one cure: a medicine is available, but you must take it. You can argue, you can ignore it, or you can say it’s too simple. But if you never take it, you will die.
Salvation is like that. It may seem too simple—“Just look to Jesus and believe?”—but that’s the cure God has given. Healing, freedom, and eternal life come only when we put our trust in Him.
How to “Look to Jesus” Daily
Looking to Jesus isn’t just for the moment of salvation—it’s a way of life. Here’s how we keep our eyes on Him:
- When temptation bites – Remember that Christ broke the power of sin on the cross. Instead of giving in, look up and pray, “Lord, You’ve set me free, help me walk in that freedom.”
- When guilt and shame creep in – Don’t hide. Look at the cross where Jesus already paid for it. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).
- When life feels overwhelming – Look away from the problem and fix your eyes on Jesus, the One who overcame the world (Hebrews 12:2; John 16:33).
The Israelites had to do one thing: look. They didn’t have to climb the pole, perform rituals, or earn healing. Just look and live.
The same is true for us. You don’t have to fix yourself before coming to Jesus. You don’t have to carry guilt or try to earn His love. You don’t have to go to various temples and perform different types of rituals to cleanse yourself. Just look to the cross and believe. There you’ll find healing for your soul, freedom from sin, and eternal life.
So today, whatever “venom” of sin, shame, or fear you feel biting at your heart—look to Jesus. The serpent of old; the devil has already been defeated at the cross. Lift your eyes to Him, and live.
Reflection Questions
- What “venom” in your life has been stealing your joy or weighing you down?
- How can you remind yourself daily to look to Jesus instead of your problems or past mistakes?
- Who in your life needs to hear the simple message: “Look to Christ and live”?