Must Be Lifted Up! (part 2 of 4)

At a time when Jesus struggled, knowing the time was DRAWING NEAR for his arrest and crucifixion, He was troubled deeply. ( John 12:27) However, He knew it was for that very purpose He had come. ( John 12:28) Had He been saved from that hour, how could we have been saved from our sins? Therefore Jesus chose to glorify the Father through surrendering to the plan. Our Lord's vocalized resolve to press on was met on that occasion with a verbal response from Heaven which some thought was the sound of thunder while others believed an angel had spoken to Him. ( John 12:28-29)

Focusing on what would ultimately be accomplished through His death, Jesus stated. . .
"(31) 'Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. (32) And I, WHEN I AM LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, WILL DRAW ALL PEOPLE TO MYSELF.' (33) He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die." ( John 12:31-33 ESV)

The context of "all people" implies "all kinds of people" which would specifically draw attention to the DRAWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES. Jesus has become both the means of reconciliation with God and with one another as we are together DRAWN TO HIM as the Messiah and Savior of the world.

Being LIFTED UP was also the means of dealing with the debt of sin against us and the power of the devil. ( John 12:31; Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) While Jesus was on the cross, the leaders and the devil thought they had achieved a great victory. However, through the cross Jesus brought victory over sin and dealt a huge blow to the devil. In submitting our life to God and resisting the devil, the devil will flee from us and as WE DRAW NEAR TO GOD HE DRAWS NEAR TO US. ( James 4:7-8) Being DRAWN TO JESUS we are drawn away from the clutches of the devil and into the safety of His hands. ( John 10:28-29)

Have a great day DRAWN INSEPARABLY TO JESUS!
Carl

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