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The crucified serpent. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” John 3:14 Physically, it was Jesus who was crucified. Spiritually, the serpent, Lucifer and all of his works were nailed to that cross. In the wilderness, the Lord did not remove the serpents, which were plaguing the people of Israel, but He provided a remedy. There was deliverance for those who believed and exercised their faith by coming to the brazen serpent, who when viewing it, were healed. Num. 24:7
The fiery serpent of brass was a replica of the serpents of death, a problem which they had brought upon themselves. Sin is an individual matter. We will each give account for ourselves before the Lord. The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, the Son of man, has a twofold effect. Accepting His atoning blood as our only means of redemption and deliverance from sin, cleanses and heals both spiritually and physically. 1 Pet. 2:24 Healing for the whole man was accomplished at the cross. We must all appear, personally, before the judgment seat of Christ. Rom. 14:10 Some settle the account by coming to the cross and finding pardon. While others, procrastinate and will appear before Him in the great white throne judgment. 1 Tim. 5:24 Once we have committed our sins to Him, there is not more judgment. Those who have been pardoned, bear no more guilt or condemnation. Rom. 8:1
The shape, the form, the material of the cross is meaningless. As a matter of fact, it can become dangerous and lead to false doctrine. After the plague was stopped, the children of Israel retained the brazen serpent which they began to pay homage to by burning incense. They even gave it a name, Nehushtan, 2 Kings 18:4 King Hezekiah, known as a righteous king, changed all the heathen practices which were being used and cleansed the land. Among them was this Nehushtan, which was smashed into pieces. Our hope is not in the cross or the form of a cross, it is in the Christ of the cross. The crucified Lamb of God. His death, His being nailed to the cross, removed every obstacle separating man and the Lord. Col. 2:14 Peace of heart and mind are obtainable because of the blood of the cross. Reconciliation, is available to all, through the blood of the cross. Col. 1:20 These are only made possible through the atoning work which was fully accomplished in His own being when He was nailed to the tree. Inanimate objects of any sort are not a part of His redemptive works in the hearts of men. Who He is and what He accomplished in visiting this world as the Son of man is what counts with the Lord.[END]112908.