“Christ was conformed to the image of the serpent that we might be conformed to the image of Christ.” — Jen Wilkin

In her talk at TGCW22, Jen Wilkin teaches about the significance of the serpent on the pole as referenced in Numbers 21. In this Old Testament passage, Wilkin explains, the serpents point back to Egypt and the severity of the punishment from God in the 10 plagues. It's a reminder to the people of Israel at the time not to harden their hearts in disobedience. The Israelites repent, and God provides a way of healing. Moses then holds up a bronze serpent on a pole (foreshadowing and representing Christ on the cross) and God’s people have a chance to look and live.

“It is the same for us today,” says Wilkin. “All that is required of us for salvation is to look on Christ and believe.”