The brazen serpent, lifted up in the camp of Isrj^el, brought health and cure within the reach of all who were bitten by serpents. Christ crucified, in like manner, brought eternal life within reach of lost mankind. Chiist has been lifted up on the cross, and man looking to Him by faith may be sayed.
The truth before us is the very foundation-stone of the Christian religion. Christ's death is the Christian's life. Christ's cross is the Christian's title to heaven. Christ " lifted up" and put to shame on Calvary is the ladder by which Christians "enter into the holiest," and are at length landed in glory. It is true that we are sinners ; — but Christ has suffered for us. It is true that we deserve death ; — but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors ; — but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real Gospel ! This is the good news ! On this let us lean while we live. To this let us cling Avh en we die. Christ has been "lifted up" on the cross, and has thrown open the gates of heaven to all believers.
These verses show us, fourthly, the way in which the benefits of Chrisfs death are made our ow7i. That way is simply to put faith and trust in Christ. Faith is the same thing as believing. Three times our Lord repeats this glorious truth to Nicodemus. Twice He proclaims that "whosoever believeth shall not perish." Once He says, " He that believeth on the Son of God is not con- demned."
Faith in the Lord Jesus is the very key of salvation. He that has it has life, and he that has it not has not life. Nothing whatever beside this faith is necessary to our complete justification ; but nothing whatever, except this faith, will give us an interest in Christ. We may fast and mourn for sin, and do many things that are right, and ise religions ordinances, and give all our goods to feed the