Musick-al note # 219
John 12:32,”if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me”. His life would soon end and Jesus knew that the disciples would have a difficult time so this promise foresaw the only way any follower could endure and follow him was to lift him up in their hearts and lives.
Jesus was lifted up when nailed to the cross. Suspended between heaven and earth, he was offering himself in sacrifice to ransom all men from their debt of sin (1 Timothy 2:6). God had decreed that everyone who sinned would die (Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23) but Jesus took this burden to the cross for all men. He was reconciling men to God by dying for all men (1 Corinthians 15:3, Colossians 1:20).
Jesus was lifted up from the grave by the power of God (Acts 3:15, 4:10, 10:40) even as Jesus had stated (John 10:18). The empty tomb declares the resurrection (John 20:1-8) and the testimony of many witnesses affirm him alive (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
Jesus was lifted up from the earth (Acts 1:9-11) and is now seated at God’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3) offering eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus had prayed that God would give him the glory he had before the world was created (John 17:5). He is also now the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) to whom God has given all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) and the promise of being with God (1 Corinthians 15:24-27).
Jesus will be lifted up when we believe that he is God’s Son, sent into the world and acknowledge him as Lord of life. He is lifted up when we love and obey Him (John 14:15-25). He is exalted when we repent of sin and live according to his will (John 1:27-30). We will lift him up as we proclaim his saving gospel (Romans 1:16) that others may also be saved in his precious blood (Ephesians 1:7). He is lifted up when we worship together, praise God in communion, love and remain faithful until death (Revelation 2:10).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 