Lifted up

“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.” John 3:14-15
We read about the episode with Moses and the bronze snake in Num. 21:4-9. As they were prone to do, the Israelites were grumbling against Moses and against God for bringing them into the wilderness. God sent venomous snakes among the people, and some of them died. Then He instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole, and anyone who was bitten could look to it and live.
It is almost repulsive that Jesus could liken a snake to Himself. The serpent, empowered by Satan, was the one who introduced sin into the world. Bronze in the Scriptures is always a symbol of judgement, because it is linked with fire. So the bronze snake is a symbol of sin being judged.
Jesus became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). He too was lifted up on a pole, crucified. And anyone who looks to Him, will receive salvation.
Often we sing worship songs about Jesus being ‘lifted up’ in praise and glory, but here He is referring to His death by crucifixion. It’s interesting to note that this is right at the start of Jesus’ public ministry. This was His mission in coming to earth.