Nicodemus came to Jesus because he was seeking the way of salvation from sin. Jesus refers Nicodemus to an incident in the life of the people of Israel and in using the incident as an illustration he shows Nicodemus the only way to receive redemption from sin and the judgment for sin. W. J. Seaton considers three points. The snakes show judgment for sin mixed with mercy. God told them to raise a pole in the centre of the camp with the likeness of the snake on the top. Lastly the people must look to the substitute should they wish to live.