Jesus taught Nicodemus what was necessary. John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.[1] Nicodemus would have been familiar with this story from Israel in the desert.
You can find this story in Numbers 21:4-9. The people rebelled against God, and as a result, God sent serpents to bite the people, and many died. Then they realized they had sinned and asked Moses to intervene for them. The Lord told Moses to make a snake out of bronze and attach it to a pole. The people were to look at this and trust God for their healing.
Jesus Was Lifted Up for Our Healing
Humanity’s rebellion did not end with the people of Israel in the wilderness. It continues to this day. Our rebellion leads to the fatal bite of sin. We cannot save ourselves, and we need help. The people in the wilderness repented and asked Moses to intercede. God sent Jesus to intercede on the cross for us in our sin.
Jesus was literally lifted up on the cross in His crucifixion. Even though He was innocent, He paid the blood price of sin for us. When we repent and look to the cross by faith, He gives us the gift of salvation. The healing of the snake bites in the wilderness foreshadowed what Jesus would do for us. In both cases, healing comes through repentance and faith.
Christ Lifted to Glory
The reference to Jesus being lifted up certainly happened at the cross. But, the term “lifted up” can also refer to His being lifted up in glory. John 12: 23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.[2]
The cross was not the end of His glory but the means of His glory. Peter preached this at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down. Acts 2: 32 God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.[3] Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to die for us. We can respond by living a life that serves and honors Him for His great gift of salvation. We can do this only as the gift of the Holy Spirit empowers us. To learn how the Son of Man must be lifted up, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-and-nicodemus
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.