Look UP!

I am almost certain that you know someone that is walking around in their sin. I am also certain that you may be praying for them. have you ever read the story of the bronze serpent? If not stop here and take a few moments to read Numbers 21:1-9.
Don't you want to just sake those Israelite people and yell "you got what you deserved!"
But not God, he is gracious and knows how to love them through this. It doesn't not say whether everyone looked at the snake and lived.  They followed a living God and were turning from idols at this time. Therefore, they probably didn't follow God's instructions through Moses and resulted in death.
Hmmm, the irony.
Jesus used this imagery when talking to Nicodemus in John 3:14-15. Do you remember what or where you were when you accepted salvation (the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, or destruction)? Do you remember perhaps bowing your head in prayer or lifting your face to heaven? Do you remember lifting your soul to look up at Jesus on the cross?  Did you walk away thinking "that was easy?"
Just like the Israelite people, they thought it was too easy to just look at the bronze serpent and be saved. People today believe it's too easy also. But it is.  We hold ourselves back from being saved because we think it is something we should work hard for and accept; especially for the over achiever.
Jesus was placed on that pole, just like the bronze serpent, to save us from our own destruction. When we look to Jesus and accept His love; we live in an eternal life of love.
I don't know if this helped you today, but it sure helped me to pray for my friends and family that are walking in their own venom. My prayer has changed for them to just look up.


~Be encouraged, Jesus saves