As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3: 14.
During the American civil war the evangelist Moody acted as an army chaplain. He once told a severely injured soldier who had called him: “I would willingly carry you to heaven on my shoulders, but I can’t!” – “Who can then?” asked the soldier. – “Only the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why He came.”
The dying man shook his head. “No, He can’t save me. I’ve been sinning all my life.” – “But the Lord Jesus came precisely to save sinners,” Moody retorted, then read him various passages from the Bible, including the words: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The soldier interrupted him: “Does it say that in the Bible?” – “Yes, just that!” – “Please read it again!”
Moody did so. The wounded man sat up as best he could and said, “That is good!” He asked the preacher to repeat the verse yet again. The latter read it again and continued to the end of the chapter. When he then looked at the soldier’s face, he saw it brighten in perfect peace. “That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life,” he heard the soldier whisper. The dying man then opened his eyes and said, “That’s all that’s needed!” He lived a few hours longer, in which he rested by faith on the Lord Jesus’ promise in these verses. Then he departed in peace to be with Christ in paradise.