By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

He Goes Before Us!

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“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 12:32 English Standard Version

Usually when someone is lifted up above others, it means that they are held in high esteem or respect by others.  “Being lifted up” is seen as something positive and desirable.

But when Jesus says that He will be lifted up from the earth, He is referring to being lifted up on a cross, being publicly shamed and ridiculed and condemned and suffering terrible physical pain and suffering and death.  Why would our Lord Jesus do this?  Why would He plan on being “lifted up” on  a cross?

Jesus refers to this lifting up in John 3:14 when He says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”  When the people of Israel had sinned and God sent poisonous snakes to punish them, God provided a serpent on a cross so that when anyone looked at that cross they would live and be healed of their deadly poison.  Even so, whoever looks to Jesus upon the cross for their rescue and healing and salvation will be given eternal life.

Jesus’ death on a cross is His sacrifice to pay for our sins and give us eternal life in Him.  He was lifted up on that cross so that we might look to Him and live.  Jesus giving up His life on that cross draws all people to Him, all who would look to Him and believe!

Lord, thank you for Your death upon the cross to save me from sin and give me eternal life!  Thank you that you were lifted up so that you might draw me into eternal life.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado