I am sure you boys and girls who read this paper know right well the story in the Old Testament of the bitten Israelites and the brazen serpent; how Moses, at God’s command, made that serpent of brass, and hoisted it upon a pole, that those who were bitten by the fiery serpents might “look and live.”
I was telling this story very simply to some little friends of mine, and I asked a little boy among them if he thought there were any there, even among the Youngest, who would not be able to see this serpent in the camp of Israel. His simple answer was,
“No, unless they closed their eyes to it.”
These were solemn words, although they fell from the lips of a little boy. This serpent of brass was indeed lifted up in their midst, so that they might “look and live”; but what if they closed their eyes, and would not look, and so did not see? Alas! then nothing but death was before them.
Perhaps those who closed their ears, and hearts to that wonderful message, “Look and live,” thought that it was too simple, too easy a way to be cured of such a deadly bite; but, then, nothing but certain death was before them, for it was only as many as looked who lived.
Now, for a moment, turn to John 3:14,1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15), and you will read of One of whom the serpent of brass lifted up was but a faint picture. God’s well-beloved Son has been lifted up on the shameful cross for poor sinners who were ready to perish, lost and guilty. Many times He has been held up. as the only Saviour, the only Refuge, the only Escape from the terrible consequences of sin.
Have you looked in faith to Him? Have you that eternal life which is given to those who believe? Often, it may be, your lost condition in the sight of a holy God has been put before you, your danger and your need. Have you believed that it is indeed all true? or have you closed your eyes to it? Open your eyes now, and look to Christ; open your ears now, and believe His message; and open your heart, and let that precious Saviour, now glorified, enter with all the blessings He so longs to bestow upon you.
The dear little boy of whom I told you did look to Jesus, because he felt his need: and he was fit for God’s presence, and he had eternal life given to him. Let it not be said of you that you closed your eyes to that once uplifted Saviour, and that yogi closed your ears and heart to all His offers of grace and mercy.
ML 08/22/1943