2. Slide 2 The Serpent and the Cross Studies in John’s Gospel Chapter 3

3. Slide 3 Numbers 21:4-5 Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.”

4. Slide 4 Somewhere along this southern march Israel got impatient, or discouraged

5. Slide 5 Their hearts were revealed by their words. Sin brought them death! An Immediate asking for the serpents removal. The Lord’s way, however, was… Look and live!

6. Slide 6 Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Serpent being lifted up? 1. Because both were lifted up by God’s authority?

7. Slide 7 Jesus’ Death Was Planned… The church/kingdom was and is not a “substitute”.

8. Slide 8 Isaiah 53:4-5 Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well- being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

9. Slide 9 Matthew 16:21-23 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

10. Slide 10 Romans 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh

11. Slide 11 Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Serpent being lifted up? 2. Because both were the result of rejection

12. Slide 12 Their sin did not come from hunger, lack of care, prayers unanswered, etc. Numbers 21:7 So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you. 1 Corinthians 10:9 1 Corinthians 10:9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Our sin is likewise rejection, trying the Lord

13. Slide 13 Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

14. Slide 14 1 Peter 3:18; 2:24-25 Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

15. Slide 15 Hebrews 9:26 He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. His Sacrifice was because of SIN, it deserves our serious consideration.

16. Slide 16 Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Serpent being lifted up? 3. Because both demanded submission

17. Slide 17 Numbers 21:6 The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.

18. Slide 18 Both the cross and the serpent only draw “humbled” eyes. Humility is like a good news filter! “Many” died, although they were given a choice. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. John 12:32

19. Slide 19 Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Serpent being lifted up? 4. Because both offered salvation, healing

20. Slide 20 Bitten one lived by looking then. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Everyone might have been healed but, many died.

21. Slide 21 Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

22. Slide 22 Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Serpent being lifted up? 5. Because neither removed the trial.

23. Slide 23 There are different ways to deal with sin.  1 Cor.6:9-11 - one can be washed  1 Cor.10:13 - one can escape  1 Cor.15:58 - be steadfast  Hebrews 10:36 - show endurance  2 Peter 2:20-22 - return to a worse condition

24. Slide 24 Some lived…Many died ! God desires you to look and live, will you believe?