A Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. Jesus told the man he needed to be born again.  Then Jesus explained the plan of God for the lost more completely. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up,” Jesus said (John 3:14, KJV).

The event Jesus alluded to is recorded in the book of Numbers. The people of God were in the wilderness. During their journey, God led them around the city of Edom, which was longer than going directly through it.

The people became discouraged and railed against Moses. They accused him of having brought them in the wilderness to die. God judged their complaining and sent fiery serpents against them. These serpents had the sting of death, and many of the people died (Numbers 21:6).

After the people humbled themselves, God told Moses to place a brazen serpent on a pole. Whoever looked upon the brazen serpent on the pole, after having been bitten, would live (verse 8). It was not enough for Moses to place the brazen serpent on the pole. The victim had to physically look upon the serpent on the pole to live.

The brazen serpent on the pole was a foreshadow of lifting up Jesus. This phrase is a reference to Jesus being lifted from the earth to be placed upon a cross.

We all received the sting of death because of Adam’s disobedience in the garden. The only cure available for this sting of death is Jesus. Just as the people in the wilderness had to look upon the serpent for healing, sinners must look to and believe in Jesus to be healed.

Jesus explained to Nicodemus that God is the Author of this plan of salvation through Christ. Because of His obedience to the cross, God has highly exalted Him. Whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

It stands to reason that if we want to see more people saved, the church must become more diligent in lifting up Jesus. But we have allowed our voice for Christ to become muted in the public discourse. Everything else is being lifted up in the world. We need to do the same with regard to the name and person of Jesus Christ.

Churchgoers know how to exalt the name of Jesus when they come together at the house of God. But not so much after the leave the house of God. Not so much in the office or among relatives who don’t know the Lord.

We should exalt the name and person of Christ when we gather. But even more so, we must lift Him up before a dying world. He is the only One who can save us from the sting of death that came through sin.