One of the most puzzling stories I ever read in the Old Testament was the story of the fiery serpents sent among the Israelites. To be bitten by one of these snakes was certain death. Through the prophet Moses, God sent a way for His followers to be healed. Moses erected a bronze serpent and hung it high, where all the people could see it throughout the camp. Those who would turn their eyes to the serpent would be healed. To my disbelief, there were many who refused to look, because the way was too simple. (1 Nephi 17:41) Instead, they chose death.
Since I read this story as a child, it was several years before I realized that this was a type of the Savior. He, too, was hung up on a cross, and has since been placed where much of the world can see Him. If we cast our eyes upon Him, if we turn ourselves towards Him, we can have life eternal; if we, in our stubbornness and pride, refuse to reorient ourselves, then we, too, shall die spiritually.
Of course, to cast ones’ eyes upon the Savior is more than just glancing at Him. As we turn our eyes to Him, we change the orientation of our bodies and the path we travel on. As we focus on Him and keep Him in the forefront of our lives, we begin our journey on a path that leads to eternal life. We realize what is most important, and we seek after it.
The remainder of John 3 touches on the various ways that those who do not accept the Savior choose eternal damnation, while those who seek Him in faith feel eternal joy. In various verses, we are reminded that we must love the light to love the Savior, and in loving the Savior, love the light. Our actions and deeds are not performed in darkness; we have no shame of having our Father in Heaven see them. Similarly, John the Baptist teaches Christ’s disciples that those who receive the testimony of Christ recognize that the Father has sent Him, and that believers shall receive everlasting life. (Everlasting life, you will remember, is to dwell with God the Father for all eternity.)
As we turn our eyes toward Christ and accept His teachings, we will begin to move closer to Him. We have received the promise of eternal life and of salvation, if we will but stay on the path He has already trod. We must be sure that we do not turn away or lose faith “because of the simpleness of the way” and perish as did the Israelites of old.
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