"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” - Jesus, John 12:32
When we think about lifting Jesus up, we often think about singing about Him, or telling about the good things He has done in our lives. And these things are good, They do lift Him up. But originally, when Jesus said these words, He was talking about the fact that He would be lifted up in sacrificial death on a cross.
We don't associate mistreatment and unjust death with glory. But that is exactly what Jesus did. He lived a pure life and died a death of propitiation. He lived so we could live, and He died so we could live. He also rose from the dead so we could live. In doing so He conquered life and death. He knew that this series of events would capture the imagination of everyone. Everyone at some point or another has to deal with the prospects of death. And when they do, they look for eternal life. They can find it in Jesus.
So the question becomes, are we lifting up Jesus to the people around us? And what Jesus are we lifting up? Is He a fairy godmother Jesus? Is He merely a do-gooder and life-improver Jesus? Or is He the Son of God who through a brutal and humiliating death took our sins to the cross and purchased redemption and eternity with God?
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Today, lift Jesus up in your worship, your words, and your walk. If you will lift Him up, others will come to Him.
When we think about lifting Jesus up, we often think about singing about Him, or telling about the good things He has done in our lives. And these things are good, They do lift Him up. But originally, when Jesus said these words, He was talking about the fact that He would be lifted up in sacrificial death on a cross.
We don't associate mistreatment and unjust death with glory. But that is exactly what Jesus did. He lived a pure life and died a death of propitiation. He lived so we could live, and He died so we could live. He also rose from the dead so we could live. In doing so He conquered life and death. He knew that this series of events would capture the imagination of everyone. Everyone at some point or another has to deal with the prospects of death. And when they do, they look for eternal life. They can find it in Jesus.
So the question becomes, are we lifting up Jesus to the people around us? And what Jesus are we lifting up? Is He a fairy godmother Jesus? Is He merely a do-gooder and life-improver Jesus? Or is He the Son of God who through a brutal and humiliating death took our sins to the cross and purchased redemption and eternity with God?
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Today, lift Jesus up in your worship, your words, and your walk. If you will lift Him up, others will come to Him.
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