Jesus Lifted Up (John 12:32)

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself - John 12:32

Jesus spoke these words directly after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem only a few days before He would be handed over to crucifixion.

Death by crucifixion was known in the Roman world as the most shameful and horrific of deaths, fit only for slaves and the worst of criminals.

And yet Jesus - the Son of God, the King of kings, and the most innocent man who ever lived - was about to freely give Himself over to the Cross.

The Cross would be a direct fulfillment of His own words, that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

The most humble man to ever walk the face of the earth was indeed about to be exalted. He would be lifted up for all to see.

There would be a plaque with His name on it identifying Him as a king, and He would be wearing a crown on His head.

From a natural perspective, this would be just another one of the many thousands of crucifixions executed by the Roman Empire. But for those with eyes to see, it would be the moment that the law was fulfilled, sin was forgiven, satan was conquered, death was abolished, and the eternal love of God for man was proven once and for all.

Two thousand years later, the situation is much the same. When Jesus is lifted up in our lives, He continues to draw all people to Himself. It is not a matter of how smart we are, how talented we may be, how much money we have, or even how "good a person" we are.

All that matters is that we are exalting Jesus in our lives.

He will take care of the rest.

Behold, my servant shall act wisely;

he shall be high and lifted up,

and shall be exalted.

Isaiah 52:13