How does looking to Christ heal us of our sin problem?

Looking to Christ heals our sin problem because He took our sin and God’s judgment fell on Him. Just as the brazen serpent was lifted up and the people were healed by looking, so now when we look to Christ we receive forgiveness, salvation, and justification.

Les explains that brass in Scripture speaks of judgment, so the brazen serpent was made of brass because it pictured judgment. When the people looked at that serpent, God judged their sin and they were healed. In the same way now, Christ took our sin, and on Him God’s judgment fell. When we look to Christ, we are healed of our sin problem in what is called forgiveness, salvation, justification, and all the rest. Les also connects this to the wilderness examples written for our admonition, warning that anyone who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall.

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

See the rest

How is looking to Christ like the Israelites looking at the brazen serpent?

The brazen serpent prefigured Christ's work: brass symbolizes judgment, and the serpent was made of brass because it was a subject of judgment. When Israelites looked, God judged their sin and they were healed. Likewise, looking to Christ—who took our sin, on whom God's judgment fell—brings healing through forgiveness, salvation, and justification.