Snakes: why'd it have to be snakes?

Snakes take center stage in the scripture readings for the fourth week of Lent (March 20-25, 2006)

Even though only about 20 per cent of the approximately 2700 species of snakes are poisonous, the poisonous nature of snakes is often the first thing we think of when we see a snake. In the scene from the Numbers reading this week – poisonous snakes were biting and killing the people after they had whined and whined to 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 detest this miserable food." (in a very whiny tone) Of course, their attitudes changed after the snakes started biting. "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us." (probably in a less whiny tone)

So God had Moses make an image of the poisonous snakes and put it on a pole and everyone who was bitten would look at the snake on the pole and they would be healed.

I’ve heard that story before and it always seems strange and weird to me.

But it must’ve had some major importance to the Jewish people when Jesus was here on earth. While he was telling Nicodemus about God’s saving through Jesus, he used the imagery of the snakes from the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament):

And then this description is followed by what I believe to be the most often quoted verse in the Bible:

This whole snake on a pole/Jesus on the cross comparison is difficult for me. I get that both are about healing and life - but Jesus and a Snake?

How about this:

Maybe that last one is too tidy. How about Jesus death – instead of him coming to take over in power, is a stumbling block to those who do not believe – but the way of life to all? Crucifixion was a sign of a curse. Therefore, just as the Israelites had to look on the repugnant, uplifted image of a serpent to be saved, we today have to look at the uplifted image of Jesus on a cross in order to be saved from our sins. (Hmmm – Protestants look at an empty cross in celebration of the resurrection. In the Roman Catholic Church the uplifted image of Jesus provides a much closer comparison with the imagery in John 3.)

Or maybe the Jesus who was crucified is poison to our former lives. When we are in Christ we are a new creation.

The Christ who was crucified and raised from the dead will never leave us. When we see the cross we remember what Christ did.

What are some other symbols that people have that remind them of God’s love and saving grace?

Why’d if have to be snakes to communicate that God love us and God desires for us to be saved from our sin? I don’t know. But it is snakes that communicate God's love in this week's readings.

I’m not advocating keeping a snake in our pocket as a symbol of God’s saving grace. But we could find a way to have reminders with us every day. We could put up a Mezuzah in our homes. We could put crosses or crucifixes or fish symbols over our doorposts.

None of the symbols would change what God has done for us – it would just be a reminder.

If would be a reminder that God is with us always – In a powerful and healing way. God wants us to be restored – not broken down. Believe. God is capable and will never leave us.

Kirk Moore