Looking to Jesus is a daily thing, even a moment-by-moment thing. Let’s get used to being in His presence.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in [relies on, walks with] the LORD.

Yesterday, we talked about the true sacrifice being a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Today, we look at what God does with sin.

By believing Jesus, that He did what He said He did and that He will do what He said He would do, we appropriate the righteousness of Christ when we pledge our heart and life to Him. We trust Him. The saving power of His blood transforms us into children of God! The transaction is made when the blood is applied.

There is a great example in Numbers 21:4-9,

The Bronze Snake

⁴ They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; ⁵ they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
⁶ Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. ⁷ The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
⁸ The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” ⁹ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

Snakes were killing the Israelites because of their impatience and grumbling against Moses, God’s chosen servant. They repented and asked Moses to pray to the LORD to take away the snakes. Moses prayed for the people, but the LORD didn’t answer the way they asked Him to answer. Instead, He had Moses make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten need only look to the bronze snake to be healed. It sounds like pagan worship, but God was making an illustration.

The story is a perfect setup for the Gospel! In John 3:14, Jesus likened His sacrifice to that of the bronze snake, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” Again, in John 12:32, Jesus makes a reference to being lifted up, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” The term, “lifted up,” means, “exalted,” so it carries a double meaning. Jesus was lifted up just like the bronze snake and He was exalted by the Father for His obedience (Philippians 2:8-11).

What does this example mean for us? The penalty for sins has been paid; we need only to look to the Son for the poison of sin to be neutralized. The blood of Jesus washes us and removes the guilt and stain of sin from our lives. When does Jesus cleanse us? When we believe Him and confess Him as LORD, surrendering to Him and pledging our lives to Him.

One more thing: The Lordship of Christ is not stagnant. The first thing He does as Lord is enter our hearts to live with us! He desires sweet and intimate fellowship with each of us. How can we miss this important part of salvation?! Yet, many do. Renew your relationship and devotion to Christ right now and enter into the peace and joy that He offers when we walk close to Him. He loves us!!! Pray the prayer of King David,

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation 
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
(Psalm 51:10, 12)

Abba, I pray for my readers that they will take this opportunity to be made right with You. I pray this prayer myself knowing that there are things in my life and in my mind that are still unregenerated and need to be sanctified and made holy. May we all surrender our lives to You and then walk with You in close fellowship. It’s the whole point of salvation! May we worship You in Spirit and in truth today, O Lord. Amen.