Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
It’s been a really tough day. The trials, the verdict, the people are close to mass hysteria. One minute they have been praising Him, the next crying out for His death. As you stand on the edge of the commotion, you begin to wonder about this man they are dealing with. You have heard that He is the Son of God, the Chosen One, the Messiah. Everyone is talking about all the miracles He has been doing. The people are talking about His amazing teachings. He looks like just an ordinary man and you ask yourself, what so special about Him?
The crucifixion, not one of the more pleasant times in history. If you have come to know and love Him you may not be excited to look on this day. I’ve often asked God if there couldn’t have been any other way. The answer is always “no.” If I want to be with my LORD, blood had to be spilled, no other way. When Adam and Eve took that bite from the forbidden tree, Jesus’ fate was sealed.
My heart breaks today, for the pain my Savior had to go through. I’m ashamed of my self, as I put Him on the cross. If I were the only one on earth, He would have still done it for me. Same with you, you are that special to Him, He can’t live without you, so He paid the penalty.
So why did I choose Numbers 21:7-9 for our scripture today? Because sometimes we have to look at something that isn’t pleasing to our senses.
Once again the people of Israel have sinned against God. Their sin? Complaining. God was angry and sent the poisonous snakes and many were bitten and killed. Again they cried out and God had mercy on them. He told Moses to make the replica of the snake and mount it on a pole, high up, so people could just look at the snake and be healed physically. All they had to do is look up.
Do you get the similarity of what Jesus went through and this scripture?
We have sinned again and God has provided a way for us to be healed of our sins, not only physically but spiritually: Jesus.
He was nailed to the cross and lifted up. Today, we need to stop what we’re doing and look up.
As you stand watching this man dying, you begin to notice the clouds building. They are really black, churning storm clouds. You have never in all your life seen anything like them. It’s so dark you can’t see the person next to you, but you can see Him clearly. You can hear people crying but you cannot take your eyes off of Him. You feel like you’re all alone on that hill, watching the agony He is going through. Blood is dripping off His chin, He is bruised from the beating He was given. Where they nailed Him to the cross, the holes are tearing from the weight of his body. Yet you cannot look away.
Then, in total silence, He raises His head and looks deep into your eyes. You stagger at the depth of love He pours into you at that moment, it is something you will never forget.
His head drops and you know He’s gone.
I encourage you to stop many times through the day, and look up, into the eyes of your Savior. Know the power of His love and think about what it means for you.
My dear child,
I know you usually pray to Me now, but today I want to encourage you. I want you to look at my Servant, My Son, whom I choose. He is my Beloved, and He pleases me. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise His voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally He will cause justice to be victorious. And His name will be the Hope of all the world.
As I look on you today, know that you are my beloved also. I have chosen you. I love you with all My being. Take courage and be strong, for I am always with you!
Love, God
Matthew 12:18-21
With The Savior 