The Cross of Jesus Christ is a Symbol of Healing
The Cross of Jesus Christ is a Symbol of Healing
Text: Isaiah 53:1-12; 1Peter2:24
As we approach this subject, let’s look at Numbers 21:8-9(KJV)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
In John 3:14-15, Christ referred to himself as the brazen serpent hung on the pole (cross)
2. This serpent was a brazen serpent, set on a pole
It represented an open mockery of the power of satan; the power of pain, suffering, fear and death. God made an open spectacle, a public display of shaming satan’s power.
So the cross is the place where Christ openly disgraced and defeated satan.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15 KJV)
2. Make thee a fiery serpent…
Christ was made sin for us
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
He knew no sin but God the father made him to be sin. He became sin. On that cross, Christ became sin. He became a terrorist, adulteress, serial killer, fornicator, abortionist, murderer, homosexual, lesbian etc.
He became sin…
That’s why on the cross he cried out, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani
God turned his back on him.
Why did God make him to become sin? So that he can take the full punishment and face the full wrath and judgment of God for every man.
He tasted death for every man.
Hebrews 2:9 (KJV)
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
3. Make thee a fiery serpent…
Christ was made a curse for us
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV)
This is why if you are in Christ and you really know it, every curse turns to a blessing.
4. This serpent was hanged on a pole which represented the cross.
Christ carried our griefs and sorrows. The word grief in original Hebrew means sickness while the word sorrow means physical and mental pain. Is.53:4
The Foolishness of the Cross
Some may ask, How can a lifeless brazen serpent on a pole save me?
How can it deliver me from me all these fiery serpents hissing and moving around me?
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)
Doubtless, you will have some Israelites who will call this nonsense.
There may be some medicine men around who might say, Oh don’t mind this foolish guy called Moses. He is just insulting your intelligence.
How can a lifeless serpent on a tree be of any use to you?
This is why the bible said,
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 25 NIV)
But Will You Believe?
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15 KJV)
Will you believe in Christ as your healer, deliverer and savior?
…everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live.
It doesn’t matter what has bitten you. It doesn’t matter what is troubling you. It doesn’t matter the sickness or infirmity. Everyone that is bitten, can look to the cross for solution. Whether it is a marital crisis, maybe your life has No meaning or direction, maybe you’re suicidal…
It doesn’t matter. Look to the cross of Jesus Christ was crucified on a hill. In the Hebrew it is called Golgotha. In Greek known as Calvary. That hill is the place of deliverance. This is your mount Zion!
5. Christ was chastised for my peace. He bore the punishment and paid the price for my peace. Is.53:5. He purchased my peace with God, with man and with the earth. Someone paid the price for my peace. He purchased it.
Peace is the right, heritage and inheritance of every child of God. Is.54:10
6. Christ was beaten so that I can be healed. The stripes, wounds, blows, bruises he took paid for my healing.
Surely, the man of Galilee did not suffer in vain. He was paying for something. That’s why he didn’t deliver himself. 1Pet.2:23; John 10:15;17
Look To Jesus
All the therapy for the snake bites of man are found in the bronze serpent on the pole which is a type of the Man Jesus.
All the solutions,
All the answers
All the peace
All the cure
All the healing
All the joy
All the victory
You will ever need in your life has been packaged by God in Jesus Christ. This is why God told Moses to tell the children of Israel to look and keep looking, (fix their gaze and never take it off!) on the bronze serpent hanged on the pole.
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)
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15 KJV)
Conclusion
If you look to Jesus, you will not perish. Others can perish from snake bites, but not you.
