The Bronze Serpent and the Power of the Cross

The Church has given us a profound passage from the Old Testament about the bronze serpent. According to Jewish law, this was considered a great scandal because the Jewish people strictly opposed idol worship. Yet, in this instance, God Himself commanded them to create an image and look at it to be saved. This left them shocked and confused.

Even today, many rabbis struggle to interpret this passage, as they cannot comprehend why God would instruct them to do something that seemingly contradicts their laws. However, to fully understand its meaning, we must turn to the New Testament.

If we attempt to interpret the passage without Jesus, we will be left wandering in confusion. But when viewed through the lens of the New Testament, its meaning becomes clear. Let us carefully examine this passage, explore its significance, and also reflect on the role of St. Joseph.

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The Battle with the Canaanites

Let us begin with Numbers 21:1:

“When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by way of Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive.”

This Canaanite king captured and enslaved some Israelites—but not all. Some were taken as captives. In verse 2, the Israelites made a vow to the Lord:

“If You will indeed deliver this people into our hands, we will utterly destroy their towns.”

The Israelites were distressed over their partial defeat. Typically, they experienced victory in battle, so they assumed that no matter what they did—even if they sinned—God would always protect them. Their pride and ego shaped their expectations.

In verse 3, we read:

“The Lord listened to the voice of Israel and handed over the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their towns. So, the place was called Hormah.”

They cried out to God, and He answered them. However, it is important to understand the Jewish literary tradition:

• They often attributed all actions—whether their own or others’—to God as the “first cause.”
• For example, Pharaoh hardened his heart, yet the Bible states God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
• Similarly, when the Israelites conquered and destroyed towns, they wrote that God commanded them to do so.

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The Transformation of the Enemy: From External to Internal

In the Old Testament, enemies were external—neighboring nations that the Israelites believed had to be completely eliminated.

However, in the New Testament, Jesus redefined the enemy. He taught that the real battle is not against people but against sin, temptation, and spiritual afflictions.

• Just as the Israelites were called to destroy their external enemies,
• Christians are called to eliminate sin from their hearts, minds, and lives.

Jesus demonstrated this in His interactions with the disciples:

• He rebuked evil influences within them.
• He warned them about the corruption of King Herod.
• He corrected James and John’s pride when they sought positions of honor.

In the Gospel of John, particularly after chapter 11, Jesus focuses on purifying His disciples. The final week of His life (John 12 onward) is dedicated to teaching and preparing them spiritually.

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Impatience and Spiritual Failure

In Numbers 21:4, the Israelites faced a long journey:

“From Mount Hor, they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way.”

Instead of a direct route, they had to take a longer path, and their impatience grew.

In verse 5, they complained:

“Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no food, no water, and we detest this miserable food!”

What they called “miserable food” was actually manna—the miraculous heavenly bread from God.

This passage reveals a spiritual truth:

• After victory, temptation often follows.
• The Israelites had just defeated the Canaanites, yet soon after, they fell into grumbling and doubt.

This pattern is common:

• After success, pride and temptation creep in.
• In developed nations, where security and stability are high, people often distance themselves from God, believing they are self-sufficient.
• After Jesus’ baptism, when the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son”, the very next event was His temptation in the wilderness.

Be Cautious: Every Glory is Followed by a Trial

Throughout Scripture, those who waited patiently on God were greatly rewarded:

• David was anointed king at 15 but became king at 30 (15 years of waiting).
• Joseph had a dream at 17 but became Egypt’s prime minister at 30 (13 years of suffering).
• Abraham was promised descendants yet had his first son at 100 (25 years of waiting).

The Bible also gives examples of long-suffering before healing:

• The paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda waited 38 years.
• The bleeding woman suffered for 12 years before touching Jesus’ robe.
• The crippled woman was bent over for 18 years before being healed.

In each case, God’s timing was perfect.

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The Eucharist: The Bread of Life

Returning to Numbers 21:5, the Israelites rejected manna—the very food that sustained them.

This parallels how many today treat the Holy Eucharist:

• With the rise of online Masses, some have abandoned attending in person.
• They forget the importance of receiving Jesus physically in Holy Communion.

The Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
The original Greek word for “daily bread” is Epiousion, meaning supernatural bread—the Eucharist.

Jesus Himself declares:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:51)

The Eucharist is not symbolic—it is the real presence of Christ.

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The Power of the Cross

The bronze serpent lifted by Moses foreshadowed Christ on the cross:

• Just as those who looked at the bronze serpent were healed,
• Those who look to Christ in faith receive salvation.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” (Galatians 3:13)

Jesus became the very thing that caused our downfall—sin—so that He could destroy its power over us.

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The Intercession of the Saints

Some question why Catholics seek the intercession of saints.

However, Jesus Himself says in Luke 20:38:

“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”

The saints are alive in Christ. Just as Moses interceded for the Israelites, the saints intercede for us. This is not idolatry—it is the Communion of Saints.

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Conclusion

Neglecting the Holy Eucharist is a dangerous spiritual attitude.

• Just as the Israelites suffered when they rejected manna,
• So too do Christians suffer when they fail to recognize the Eucharist’s value.

The Mass is not just a gathering—it is a divine encounter where Christ is truly present.

“For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.” (John 6:55-56)

Let us not take this gift for granted but embrace it with faith, reverence, and love.