There are really only three kinds of snakes in the world: live ones, dead ones, and sticks that look like snakes. And they will all make you hurt yourself. Well, unless you’re not really afraid of them like me. I’ve been bitten twice by non-poisonous ones, but have been smart enough to stay out of reach of the poisonous kind. Even when I tried to dig a rattlesnake out from under a rock and coral snake from out of a bush I was smart enough to use a stick instead of my hand.

Believe it or not there’s a connection between snakes and Jesus. When Israel had to travel around Edom after being told “You shall not pass” they began to complain (Numbers 21:4-5). God sent “fiery” serpents as punishment (Numbers 21:6). When Israel repented and asked for forgiveness God had Moses make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Those who looked at it were saved by God’s grace (Numbers 21:7-9).

Here’s the connection to Jesus. When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about being born again (a reference to water baptism) he referenced the bronze serpent as a symbol of his being lifted up on the cross (John 3:14-15). By looking to the cross when we’re baptized in water we too can be saved (Acts 2:38). Simple acts of obedience necessary to receive God’s gracious offer of salvation, yet amazingly people reject baptism. I wonder how many refused to look at the bronze serpent and died!