It Is Written… Part 2
What does “Jesus must be lifted up?” mean to you? While I've heard many people refer to it as glorifying him or worshiping him, I've always latched on to Jesus explanation of it in John 12:32-33, that if he is l”ifted up” he will draw all people to himself, and he said this referring to his death by crucifixion. but studying numbers 20:19 in conjunction with John 3:14-15 I've grown an appreciation for the many important layers of Jesus's “lifting up” - that it must mean his Crucifixion, but also his resurrection, and ascension into glory. Only when the "whole” is considered, does the incredible beautify of new life emerging from death become clear. Let’s look into this story of punishment and death, and new life and hope this week.
Anchor Texts:
John 3:9-18 NIV - “How can this be?”
Numbers 21:4-9 NLT - The Bronze Snake
Isaiah 52:13-15 CSBA - The Servant’s Suffering
Questions to Ponder:
List a few similarities between the context of Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:9-18. Several were listed in the sermon, can you find more?
Punishment for sin is a clear connection between these two stories, but how is it “right” that Jesus is punished for the sins of the people in the Gospel?
Healing is an even greater theme and connection than punishment in these two passages - what is different about healing inNumbers compared to healing in Jesus’ crucifixion, rising, and ascension?
Seeing Vs. Believing: In Numbers, the Israelites were healed by looking at the serpent. In John, eternal life is granted by believing in the Son. What’s the difference in these actions? Does one require “more” from the sinner than the other?
The New Testament clearly identifies Jesus as the suffering servant of Isaiah 52-53. In the past, have you thought of “lifting Jesus up” primarily as worship and glorifying? Or perhaps as the crucifixion? Why is it important we see all three elements equally - his crucifixion, rising to life, and ascension to the RIght haand of the Father?
Both passages are about the paradox of life emerging from death - how does this enrich our understanding of the gospel of grace?
The Theme in Song:
One of the greatest songs about considering the glory and the passion and the suffering of the cross that brings hope to us is the song when I survey the wondrous cross. the song causes us to reflect not only on the symbol of the cross that is now empty but of Christ on the cross and his great sacrifice for us. this version by Kristin getty puts a fresh musical take on the beloved hymn while maintaining the contemplative and somber atmosphere of the original.
The Theme in Art:
This painting by Augustus John is one of many artistic depictions of this fateful moment in Israel's history. you will notice if you look up the Bronze Serpent in a Google image search that many of them feature the same basic scene: Moses, standing beneath the serpent, is pointing to it; the people in distress are gathered around it. Most are looking upon it though not always all of them. Some of them appear to already have died. how do you see tragedy combined with hope in this painting?
The Bronze Serpent, Augustus John, 1898