We are wounded, polluted with sin; what shall we do to be healed from its leprosy? As far as it is in your power to do so, cleanse the soul temple of every defilement, and then look to the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." In the wilderness, when the Lord permitted poisonous serpents to sting the rebellious Israelites, Moses was directed to lift up a brazen serpent, and bid all the wounded look to it and live. But many saw no help in this Heaven appointed remedy. The dead and dying were all around them, and they knew that their fate was certain; but they would lament their wounds, their pains, their sure death, until their strength was gone, and their eyes were glazed, when they might have had instant healing.

Vi er såret og besmittet af synd; hvad skal vi gøre for at blive helbredt fra dens spedalskhed? Gør det så vidt det står i din magt, rens sjælstempelet for al snavs, og se da på "Guds Lam, som bærer alverdens synd" (Joh 1,29). Da Herren i ørkenen tillod giftige slanger at bide de oprørske israelitter, fik Moses befaling om at løfte kobberslangen op og byde de sårede at se på den og leve. Men mange så ikke nogen hjælp fra himmelen i den. Døde og døende var overalt omkring dem, og de viste at deres skæbne var sikker; men de ville klage over deres sorg, deres pine, deres visse død, indtil der ikke var mere styrke i dem, og deres øjne var glasagtige, når de kunne have haft øjeblikkelig helbredelse.