God's cure for those who were bitten by the snakes seems very simple: they were simply to look at the bronze effigy of the serpent which Moses set up on a pole. But there is much more to it than that. When Jesus quotes this passage to refer to the Son of Man [Jn 3:13-15], he concludes by saying: "so that everyone who believes may have life in him."

In commenting on Jesus' death on a cross, John quotes Zechariah: "They will look on the one whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37, Zech 12:10;). Zechariah does not refer to the serpent and the only thing in common with the story in Numbers is "looking upon".

Whatever Zechariah meant, John's use of "looking upon" demands a deeper understanding than a mere disinterested looking: it must be a looking with faith. So too we may assume that in Numbers it was not a mere casual "looking" at a lifeless effigy that was intended but a looking with faith and hope towards God, who could save them from their affliction. From this we may learn that our looking at the crucifix or at the Eucharist must always be an act of deep reverence, full of faith, hope and love.