CHRIST SAID IF I BE LIFTED UP

PROCLAMATION

 “Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes … And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’ ”  John 12:30-32 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John begins the recording of the events surrounding the last seven days in the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.  After He had raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together plotted to kill Jesus and Lazarus. (John 12:9-11)  The next day He entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey with the people shouting “Hosanna” as they placed palm tree branches on the road in front of Him. (John 12:12-18)  Many people wanted to meet Jesus and they approached His disciples with their requests.  When they told Jesus this, He replied to His disciples and predicted His own death. (John 12:20-26)  Jesus said, "Father, glorify Thy name."  And there was a loud voice from heaven which the people heard as thunder.  Then Jesus told the crowd how He was going to die and the results which would follow His death. (John 12:28-33)  He told them that He would be with them a little while longer, and that they should believe in Him and become children of the light but many of them did not believe. (John 12:34-37)  Then John quoted the prophet Isaiah who said that the people would not believe the message, and that their eyes had been blinded and their hearts hardened. (John 12:38-41)  Some people believed in Him but were afraid to openly acknowledge it. (John 12:42-43)  John ends the chapter by quoting Jesus who said that whoever believes in Him, believes in He who sent Him.  He said that He did not come to judge the world, He came to save it, but judgment day is coming for those who reject Him. (John 12:44-50)

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, said: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)  Initially, the Roman soldiers lifted Him up.  The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross while it was lying on the ground, and then they lifted Him up physically so that the cross stood upright.  Today, we can praise His name publicly and lift Him up figuratively.  If we lift Him up, He will draw the people unto Himself.  His death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection has been spread throughout the world through the preaching of the gospel and large numbers of people have come to believe in Him.  Those who believe will be saved, and those who reject Him will be lost. (John 12:44-48) As believers, we just have to do our part.  So, lift Him up, lift The Savior up.