August 30
Christ Typified by the Brazen Serpent
The Christian's Daily PortionPART III.—John 3:14.
HAVING considered the diseases and the remedies for them as exhibited in the type and antetype, let us now notice how these remedies become effectual to the removal of the maladies. In the case of the uplifted serpent, the bitten Israelites had merely to look at it. A single glance at the brazen serpent counteracted the fatal poison, and rescued the victim from death. Now this looking is analogous to that of believing by which we become savingly interested in Christ's merits and salvation. In both cases there is an object exhibited; and to this object the attention of the afflicted was directed. The looking was by God's command, and it had his gracious promise annexed to it, that it should save the dying Israelite. God in like manner calls upon sinners to behold the Lamb, which taketh away the sins of the world. And he assures us that if we fix upon him the eye of faith—if we cordially look to him, as the only appointed and all-sufficient Saviour, -that we shall not perish, out have everlasting life. How easy the means in both cases! No works, no painful observances; but look and be healed—believe and be saved. How gratuitous the mode of recovery! No purchasing merit demanded. In both cases the cure is without money and without price. How free, unrestricted, and general were the remedies. The serpent was exhibited to the whole camp — Jesus is offered to the whole world. Unfailingly efficacious were both remedies. Every Israelite, however deep his bite, however near to death, if he looked was healed — healed instantaneously, healed wholly. So every sinner, in every age and country, however vile, who has believed in Jesus, has proved him able to save both from the guilt and power of sin here, and its dreadful consequences in the world to come.
"As when the hebrew Prophet rais'd
The brazen serpent high,
The wounded look'd and straight were cur'd;--
The people ceas'd to die.
So from the Saviour on the cross,
A healing virtue flows,
Who looks to him with lively faith,
Is sav'd from endless woes."