Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14). When the Israelites lost faith in Moses on the way to Canaan, fiery serpents appeared and began to kill them. God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, so that all who looked upon the serpent might live (Num. 21:4-9). Similarly, Jesus foresaw that due to the chosen people’s failure to believe in him, humankind would be consigned to hell. He foresaw that he would then be nailed to the cross like the bronze serpent in order to save all humankind, granting salvation to all who look to him. Foreseeing this eventuality, Jesus uttered this foreboding prophecy with a mournful heart. Another indication that Jesus’ death on the cross was not the Will of God, but rather due to the disbelief of the people, is that Israel declined after the crucifixion (Luke 19:44). After all, it had been prophesied that Jesus would come and sit on the throne of David and establish an everlasting kingdom: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (Isa. 9:6-7). An angel appeared to Mary prior to Jesus’ conception and made a similar prediction: Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:31-33). |