Justice and Mercy – Cursed For Us On a Tree part 10

Why would Jesus compare His crucifixion to a serpent on a pole?

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:" - John 3:14 KJV

In the garden of Eden, the serpent was cursed.

"And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this [deceived the woman], thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field…" - Genesis 3:14 KJV

The Bible says he that is hanged upon a tree (wood, stake, pole) is cursed of God.

"And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." - Deuteronomy 21:22-23 KJV

Just as the cursed serpent hung on the pole that Moses lifted up, Jesus became cursed for us when He was lifted up and hung on a tree (a pole/the cross).

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" - Galatians 3:13 KJV

Another translation reads, "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."" - Galatians 3:13 NLT

Jesus took our justice and judgment, cursed in our place, that we might have mercy through His gospel. (Acts 2:38)

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins [so we can be dead to sin], should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:24-25 KJV

To be continued…