How does the story of the brazen serpent illustrate Christ's work?

The story of the brazen serpent serves as a vivid illustration of Christ's redemptive work. First, it highlights that healing came through looking at the serpent raised on a pole, similar to how believers must look to Christ for salvation. The serpent, made of brass, symbolizes judgment, showing that Christ bore the sins and judgment of His people on the cross. Just as the Israelites were saved from physical death by looking, sinners are saved from spiritual death by putting their faith in the crucified Christ. This message affirms that salvation is not based on our actions but entirely upon Christ's substitutionary death and resurrection.