Snake!

Just hearing the word is enough to send waves of fear down the spines of some. Though not quite that extreme, I have no use for snakes. I understand that most of them are harmless, and I am told that some of them are helpful, but that does not increase my desire to be around them.

My granddaddy once told me of some of his employees on the farm who reported that they had seen a snake in the field, and they were afraid to work in that area. He questioned them about the snake, and upon hearing their description, he advised them that everything was all right and that the snake was not poisonous. Their response was very wise as they responded back to him that they were not afraid of the poison--they were afraid of the snake!

Some years ago we lived in a rental house out in the country. It was a delightful old place with lots of shrubs and azaleas all around the perimeter of the house. I suppose the plants made good cover for mice and other small critters and that in turn attracted snakes. (Ask my youngest daughter about the one that came frighteningly close to her as she was sunning one afternoon!) After dealing with several of the reptiles, I mentioned it to the man who owned the place, and he told me that they would keep the mice away. I had a word of wisdom at that time, too--I told him I could get some poison to take care of the mice!

The mention of snakes is not missing from the Bible, either. Satan appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent or snake and deceived her to sin against God (Genesis 3). Perhaps that is why snakes are such a despised creature by so many of us.

In John 3, Christ stated: "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" (verses 14-15, NIV).

Christ was referring to an incident recorded in Numbers 21 regarding the rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness as they journeyed to the Promised Land. In response to their rebellion, God allowed venomous snakes to bite and kill many of the people (verse 6). But when they approached Moses, their leader, with repentant hearts and Moses sought the Lord on their behalf, God instructed Moses to make a snake out of bronze and erect it on a pole. Then we are told that "when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived" (verse 9).

That was God's remedy for the people at that time for the snake problem, but it pointed ahead to a greater solution for all of humankind. That solution is for the sin problem. It was made available to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we will look to Him by faith and receive His forgiveness, He has promised to grant us eternal life. Indeed, He is the only solution to the sin problem.

As we prepare to enter into Holy Week, and as Easter approaches, let us remember that Christ came to pay for our sins. Without Him we are spiritually dead. With Him we have eternal life. He died on that painfully cruel cross and was resurrected back to life, so we can look to Him and live.