IF I BE LIFTED UP!

IF I BE LIFTED UP!

John 3:14-15

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 12:32-34

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

          In the same chapter that depicts the Triumphal Entry, we find Jesus trying to explain that he should soon die. In verse 24 He explains that His life is like a seed that brings forth fruit only when it is planted in death. Unless he dies he abides alone.

          In verse 25 Jesus repeats a favorite axiom that the man who loves his life dearly and carefully will ultimately lose it anyway because death overtakes all. However if a man invests, spends and uses up his life in a worthy pursuit, he will keep it forever. This is hard to understand until you apply it to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

          The people were confused regarding Messiah and this confusion was expressed in verse 34. Adam Clarke, in his commentary, clears it up for us. “There was no part of the law nor of the Scripture that said the Messiah should not die; but there are several passages that say as expressly as they can that Christ must die, and die for the sin of the world too. See especially Isa 53:1, etc.; Dan 9:24,27. But as there were several passages that spoke of the perpetuity of his reign, as Isa 9:7; Ezek 37:25; Dan 7:14, they probably confounded the one with the other, and thus drew the conclusion, The Messiah cannot die; for the Scripture hath said, his throne, kingdom, and reign shall be eternal.” (from Adam Clarke's Commentary). Once again their confusion was centered in the resurrection.

          The question, “who is this Son of man” in verse 34, demonstrates their lack of understanding because they had forgotten about the Son of man in Daniel 7:13 who would “come with the clouds of heaven.” This was Messiah!

          Jesus clearly, I think, defined not only the person but the purpose for the Son of man being lifted up. He uses Moses’ serpent in the wilderness as an example. The people had sinned and God had sent fiery snakes to bite them. Many died! Then God told Moses to make a brass snake an put it on a staff and then lift it up. Whenever a bitten man or woman looked upon this they were healed. Jesus would be lifted up on a cross and whenever any sinner looked upon that scene in faith they too would be healed of their sin.

          When Jesus said, in verse 32, that he would “draw all men,” He meant that he would provide the means whereby man may follow Him to heaven. In fact the Greek word for draw, helkuo, literally means “to drag!” So, we are able to ride upon the coat tails of Jesus all the way to heaven. This eliminates any effort on my part along with any boasting. My entrance into heaven is based upon the broken body of the Savior entwined upon the tree. God the Father saw the sacrifice and concluded that it was enough. It was enough for me and it was enough for you too.

Dear Lord, thank you for being willing to be lifted up for me! AMEN