The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. - Numbers 21:8-9A strange story. A strange remedy. Stranger still, the Hebrew word for "pole" (nes) can also be translated as "banner." So the bronze snake was a banner that Moses lifted up over the pople, calling them together to be healed of their faithlessness. Calling them together so that God and they could have the victory over their sin.
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. - John 3:14-15
Later, John's gospel applies this powerful image to Jesus-to the act of his crucifixion. Remember the cross. Remember that it is by his wounds that we are healed and the bite of sin is rendered harmless. Receive his forgiveness. For his banner of you is love.
His banner over me is love. - Song of Songs 2:4
from Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.
