If anyone goes to the cinema to see a marvel film, you would be seen as weird if you left the theatre early. The reason, the famous post-Credit scenes. In these small scenes something is shown and teased about the next film in the Marvel franchise. Everyone then leaves in anticipation for the next release to see what elements were included. However, Marvel wasn’t the first to use this technique in giving people warning about future event.
When reading Scripture, you will often see the New Testament Foreshadowed in the Old. These instances are called “types” which show how God placed anticipations of Christ in the laws, events, and people of the Old Testament. In today’s readings we can see this very clearly. The reading from the Book of Numbers prepares for the gospel reading about Jesus bringing salvation by being lifted up. The Israelites are dying because of their lack of faith. It is through their turning back to God and imploring His mercy that He gives them a way of being saved. The serpent raised up on the wooden standard for all to see and live.
The way the Old foreshadows the New, is how there are many today who still speak against God, who say that He does nothing for us and lack faith in Him. A common reading of this type is that the brazen serpent in the wilderness, which God gave to the people when they repented of their lack of faith, teaches us that we can be saved only by the crucified Christ. When our Lord was raised up on the Cross, there hung the Salvation of the world. Through the Paschal mystery, God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all by the redemptive death of Jesus Christ.
John Newton, the Anglican cleric whose most famous for writing Amazing Grace, also compose this hymn which encapsulates the typology of today’s readings. As the serpent raised by Moses Healed the burning serpent’s bite, Jesus thus himself discloses to the wounded sinner’s sight. Hear his gracious invitation, “I have life and peace to give, I have wrought out full salvation, Sinner look to me and live.” When we look to the Cross on Good Friday or accompany Our Lord in the Stations of the Cross, may gaze in awe and realise the saving power of the Cross. We adore you oh Christ and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross, thou hast redeemed the world.