John 3:14-15 says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus continued speaking about earthly things (v. 12), bringing up the bronze serpent on a pole from Numbers 21:4-9. In the wilderness Israel complained against the Lord, Moses and the manna bread he gave them to eat. As punishment God sent poisonous snakes to bite them. The solution was to make a bronze snake on a pole and hold it high so everyone could see it. Those who chose to look were healed from the snakes bites. Similarly Jesus was “lifted up” on a cross so that all who “saw” him by faith are saved eternally. Yes, it’s that simple and profound. Praise God he made it so.