"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." John 12:32 (NIV) The King James Version reads: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
The Apostle John recorded this statement of Jesus as He spoke to His disciples regarding His impending death and the manner in which He would die. He knew that He would die upon a cross, as opposed to being stoned as the religious leaders wanted to do.
This statement has meaning both literally and figuratively. After He was nailed to the cross, they literally lifted Him up upon it, as they raised the cross from flat on the ground to an upright position, and planted the base of the cross into the earth. Today we lift Him up figuratively by praising His name among men, and during our public and private worship sessions. If, and when Christ is lifted up, He will draw men unto Himself. Our job is to lift Him up. After His death on the cross, as the gospel was preached and He was praised, thousands believed and became a part of The Church. That is still occurring today. As we lift up and praise His holy name, He is still drawing men and women to His Church. Lift Him up!
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