Look and Live!
Numbers 21:1-9
* It was "like curing like," an uplifted serpent heals the mischief wrought by a serpent: by man came death, by man came also the resurrection from the dead. The serpent on the pole was, as it were, executed by hanging on a tree, and so was the more lively type of the Crucified One, who was made a curse for us. A look was demanded of all who were bitten; there was one command for princes and paupers; they must all look, and look in one direction, for no other remedy was provided. It was the duty of Moses to lift up the serpent, but he could do no more, he had no mystic power in his own person to heal the wounded: even thus, ministers are to preach Christ Jesus to us, but they cannot save us, they are as weak as other men in such matters. Serpent represents sin, and the devil. A little snake and a little sin are as poisonous as a big snake or big sin. If you have been bitten you need to Look and Live. Salvation in Numbers 21.
1. The Need of Salvation; vs. 6 they were bitten
A. sin bites, these serpents bit them and the wounds burned, sin will burn you
B. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:
C. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;
2. The Method of Salvation; vs. 8 make thee a fiery serpent
A. by a serpent they had been bitten and by a symbol, in a form of a serpent they must be healed. Through man came death and by a man also came the justification of life. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
B. Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
3. The Condition of Salvation; vs. 8 look and live
A. They were not told to “look at their wounds” to be saved
B. They were not told to “look at Moses” to be saved
C. They were not told to “shake off the serpents” to be saved
D. They were not told to “keep the law” to be saved
E. They were not told to “help one another” to be saved
F. But there were told to look upon the brass serpent and live
G. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
4. The Extent of Salvation; vs. 8 everyone that looketh
A. it was a whosoever John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
B. salvation is to anyone who will call on the Lord Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
5. The Effects of Salvation; vs. 9 life
A. they received life for looking to the remedy
B. I started living the day I got saved John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Conclusion: The only way to handle a serpent is with a forked stick, the cross. John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Are you living? If not then look the Life giver.