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All languages are based on figures. When we teach children we employ figures. And so Christ employed figures to teach this spiritual child the things of the kingdom: a better way than by the use of abstract terms.

I. THE PEOPLE IN THE WILDERNESS, the representatives of sinful men.

1. They had stood valiantly in fight, but the serpents were things that trembled not at the sword. They had endured weariness and thirst and hunger, but these were novelties, and new terrors are terrible from their very novelty. If we could see our condition we should feel as Israel when they saw the serpents.

2. Behold the people after they were bitten — the fire coursing through their veins. We cannot say that sin produces instantly such an effect, but it will ultimately. Fiery serpents are nothing to fiery lusts.

3. How awful must have been the death of the serpent! bitten, and how awful the death of the man without Christ.

II. THE BRAZEN SERPENT. The type of Christ crucified; both remedies.

1. A number, perhaps, declared it absurd that a brazen serpent should do what physicians could not. So many despise Christ crucified.

2. Some say the cross will only increase the evil, just as old physicians averred that the sight of anything bright would intensify the effect of the poison. So many make out that salvation by the Cross destroys morality.

3. Much as those who heard of the brazen serpent might have despised it there was no other means of cure. So "there is none other name," etc.

III. WHAT WAS TO BE DONE TO THE BRAZEN SERPENT? It was to be lifted up — so was Christ.

1. By wicked men.

2. By God the Father.

3. By ministers. Let them so preach Him that He may be seen.

IV. WHAT WERE ISRAEL TO DO? To look; the convinced sinner is to believe.

1. There were, perhaps, some who would not look, and some will not come to Christ for life: perhaps —

(1)  Through unbelief.

(2)  Through insufficient conviction.

(3)  Through procrastination.

(4)  Through belief in other means.

(5)  Through looking too much at their sores, and seeming incurability.

2. Those who would be saved must look.

(1)  Whosoever.

(2)  Look now.

V. ENCOURAGEMENT.

1. Christ was lifted up on purpose for you to look at.

2. He invites you to believe.

3. He promises to save.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

WEB: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,