And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Numbers 21:8-9

Healing

There are lots of stories of healing in the Bible. This one seems stranger than most. But there is a circle in using a serpent that is interesting. The serpent was the agent of pain in the Bible, and in people’s lives. Redeeming that experience while turning the same agent into an instrument of healing is a powerful message about the power of God. I think sometimes we miss God’s desire for our full healing. And yet this passage is used to help us understand how to look at the cross and consider that God redeemed that instrument and turned it into the good news of grace and forgiveness through the love of Christ.

We address healing in our time with science and medicine that can pay attention to our physical need to heal. The thing is we also need to heal our spirits. Recently I have been part of some ministries that use music and art to point toward healing. Asking God to help us see the way toward healing for our spirit could be a great gift to the hurting places in our soul.

Prayer: Dear God, Please help me to see the possibilities of healing that surround me. Help me to pay attention to your steadfast love. In Jesus Name, Amen

Reflection Questions:

1. What helps you connect with the Spirit of God?
2. What do you believe impacts your ability to heal?
3. How could you promote healing in your community?