Why did Jesus compare Himself to a snake?

Jeff Wickham

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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness. In fact, God used the snake symbol multiple times with Moses, and each experience reveals something about Jesus. This video looks at three of those experiences, and the amazing things that one can learn from these living parables.

 

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Jesus wasn't comparing himself to a snake. He was comparing the event of the cross to the event of the bronze serpent...

Bronze Serpent - Lifted up as a means of salvation from the plague and hope for deliverance
The Cross - Christ lifted up as a means of salvation from the plague of sin and hope for deliverance
 
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topher694

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The Lord Christ Pantokrator is mentioned as the "Lion of Judah" and Satan is described as "a lion seeking to devour". It depends on what the topic is.
I personally think this is kinda cool: if you read it closely the Bible says the devil goes around "like" a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

So, the devil isn't a lion, he's trying to imitate one. One more place he tries to be like God and fails.

Devour is likened to swallowing up whole... so you could say it this way, the devil has no teeth.

Anyway, that's neither here nor there. As I said, I just think it's cool.
 
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dqhall

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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness. In fact, God used the snake symbol multiple times with Moses, and each experience reveals something about Jesus. This video looks at three of those experiences, and the amazing things that one can learn from these living parables.

Jesus being lifted up as a sign the world is evil, more than Jesus being a bronze serpent that was lifted up in the story of Moses.
 
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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness. In fact, God used the snake symbol multiple times with Moses, and each experience reveals something about Jesus. This video looks at three of those experiences, and the amazing things that one can learn from these living parables.


The fireproof NEHUSHTAN overcomes the nachashim seraphim!
 
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SkyWriting

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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness. In fact, God used the snake symbol multiple times with Moses, and each experience reveals something about Jesus. This video looks at three of those experiences, and the amazing things that one can learn from these living parables.

What was your question?
 
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Jeff Wickham

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What was your question?

A question would help initiate discussion, wouldn't it?

Here is one: If Moses' snake represents union with Christ, and if that snake came from and turned back into Moses' staff, what might the staff represent? And what might be the significance of Moses using the staff to lead the children of Israel out of bondage?
 
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fwGod

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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness.
On the cross Jesus took our place as the sacrifice for sin. He became us (the sinners), and He bore the punishment for sin.
He was also made a curse, in order that the blessings of Abraham come upon us.

So in that way Jesus compares Himself to that bronze serpent. Bronze representing judgment. The judgement of God upon all that the serpent represents.
 
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Jeff Wickham

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He was also made a curse, in order that the blessings of Abraham come upon us.

The topic of the blessings of Abraham makes me think of Galatians 3. Paul wrote, "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as referring to many, but rather to one, 'And to your seed,' that is, Christ" (Gal. 3:16, NASB). So the "seed" of Abraham is singular. And that one-and-only seed is Christ.

Fascinatingly, a few verses later Paul declares, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:27-29). There is only one "seed" of Abraham, but by being baptized into Christ, we become members of that single seed.

This was foreshadowed all the way back in the promises to Abraham - this singular seed would be like the stars of the heavens, sand by the seashore, and dust of the earth. He would be one individual, yet composed of many parts.
 
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fwGod

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The topic of the blessings of Abraham makes me think of Galatians 3. Paul wrote, "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as referring to many, but rather to one, 'And to your seed,' that is, Christ" (Gal. 3:16, NASB). So the "seed" of Abraham is singular. And that one-and-only seed is Christ.

Fascinatingly, a few verses later Paul declares, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:27-29). There is only one "seed" of Abraham, but by being baptized into Christ, we become members of that single seed.

This was foreshadowed all the way back in the promises to Abraham - this singular seed would be like the stars of the heavens, sand by the seashore, and dust of the earth. He would be one individual, yet composed of many parts.
Yes. Jesus became us so that we would be justified/made righteous in Him.

Like Mephibosheth we had a sentence of death upon us, but Jesus, like David.. out of compassion sought us out for our good. David brought Mephibosheth into His home, not as a slave, not as a servant but as a son. Sitting at the table.. an adopted son, having equal rights, a joint heir.
 
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Christ illustrated the purpose of his crucifixion with an incident in Israel's history recorded at Num 21:5-9 wherein Moses' people became weary of living in the desert and eating manna all the time at every meal. But instead of courteously, and diplomatically, petitioning their divine benefactor for tastier food and better accommodations, they became hostile and confrontational.

In response to their insolence; God sent a swarm of deadly poisonous vipers among them; which began striking people; and those snakes were really lethal. In no time at all, much people of Israel died.

Then those not yet dead came to their senses and asked Moses to intercede. In reply; God instructed Moses to fashion an image of the vipers and hoist it up on a pole so that everyone dying from venom could look to the image for treatment.

The key issue here is that the image was the only God-given remedy for the people's bites-- not sacrifices and offerings, not tithing, not church attendance, not scapulars, not confession, not holy days of obligation, not the Sabbath, not charity, not Bible study and Sunday school, not Torah studies, not tithing, not one's religion of choice, not self denial, not the so called golden rule, not vows of poverty, nor the Ten Commandments, nor door-to-door missionary work, no; not even prayers. The image was it; there was no other option, no other hope: nothing left to anticipate but the sum of all fears.

John 3:14 . .Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

John 3:18 . . Whoever does not believe stands condemned already.
_
 
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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness. In fact, God used the snake symbol multiple times with Moses, and each experience reveals something about Jesus. This video looks at three of those experiences, and the amazing things that one can learn from these living parables.


Hi Jeff,

Some people think that the image made to the beast in Revelation 13:14 could be a bronze serpent on a pole, and this will be part of the deceiving that occurs on the earth. This of course is just speculation as the shape of the image is not defined in the scriptures.

I just thought I would mention this as it does imply another possible reason Jesus compared himself to the bronze serpent being lifted up. Just as the bronze serpent itself was eventually worshiped by burning incense to it, it may be difficult to distinguish whether or not someone is worshiping Christ or an image unless it’s understood from the scriptures how to worship Christ.
 
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In the Bible, the snake is usually a symbol of Satan, evil, and sin. However, in John 3:14-15, Jesus compared Himself to the bronze serpent that Moses hung in the wilderness. In fact, God used the snake symbol multiple times with Moses, and each experience reveals something about Jesus. This video looks at three of those experiences, and the amazing things that one can learn from these living parables.


Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.


serpent
8314

08314 saraph {saw-rawf'}

from 08313; TWOT - 2292a,2292b; n m

AV - fiery serpent 3, fiery 2, seraphim 2; 7

1) serpent, fiery serpent
1a) poisonous serpent (fiery from burning effect of poison)
2) seraph, seraphim
2a) majestic beings with 6 wings, human hands or voices in attendance
upon God


This is a serpent like creature called a Saraph, same as the Saraphim which are heavenly beings that serve God.



Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

serpent
5175

05175 nachash {naw-khawsh'}

from 05172; TWOT - 1347a; n m

AV - serpent 31; 31

1) serpent, snake
1a) serpent
1b) image (of serpent)
1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)




I think there is the lowly, evil inspiring nachash, and then the more powerful fiery Seraph that God employs.
 
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