How Jesus Being Lifted Up Impacts Your Life

Jesus said, If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.’ Is it even possible to grasp all God has done for us in this lifting up of Jesus? The grace of God becomes even clearer when you realize how low Jesus stooped to save you. A farmer named Buck wanted to know how to get to heaven. He had heard different things from different people, but he wanted to know for sure. On one of his trips to town, Buck stopped by to see his friend Larry, the mechanic, whose Christian witness was known to almost everyone. “Larry, tell me what I need to do to get to heaven.” Larry welcomed the opportunity to answer the farmer’s question. “Buck, if you fell into a deep, dark pit, broke your legs, and were unable to get out, what kind of help would you need?” “Well, I’d need somebody to come down and get me out.” “Exactly,” said Larry. “But, if a person came by who went strictly by the law, he would yell down something like this: ‘You have no business being in this pit. You should have kept your eyes open and watched where you were walking. You fell in by yourself, so figure how to get out by yourself. Keep working, and eventually, you will make it. And if you ever get out, I hope you’ll learn your lesson.’ Then he would politely excuse himself and walk on. “If someone came by who believed you have to work your way to heaven, he would yell down, ‘If you can climb up halfway, I’ll help pull you up the rest of the way.’ “Buck, what good are either of these men to you?” “Why, none at all,” said Buck. “They haven’t done me a bit of good.” “Buck, I’ll tell you exactly what you need. You need a man who will not condemn you for being in the pit. You need a man who will not force you to climb out by yourself. You need a man who will go down into the pit and lift you out. That man is Jesus Christ. Only Christ can save you. He has gone down into the pit of your sinful heart and pulled you out. He willingly paid the penalty for your sin and died on the cross in your place. That is the kind of help you need. That is the kind of Savior you need.” Jesus can go into the pit and lift you up because He was lifted up for you. God’s grace runs deep. No matter how dark the pit, no matter how deep the sin, Jesus has demonstrated His grace by His sacrifice on the cross. His grace is at work even today for those who have fallen into the pit of sin. If you are in that pit, do not cry out for the legalist or for the one who makes you work your way out. Instead, cry out for the only One who can lift you out—the Lord Jesus Christ.¹ How Jesus Being Lifted Up Impacts Your Life, that’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Episode Resources

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About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 40 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 37 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Podcast Notes

Jesus Said, If I Be Lifted Up

John 12:31–32 (ESV) — 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.”

Now, in modern church circles, we use the term ‘Lift Jesus Up’ to imply witnessing for Jesus.
We admonish followers of Jesus to lift Him up – to lift Him higher.
We even sing songs about it.
But, this passage in John’s gospel that references Jesus being ‘lifted up’ doesn’t mean witnessing for Him.
We kind of borrowed this terminology and piggy-backed it onto witnessing.
There is anything really terribly wrong with that — except there is a danger, and that is that the piggy-backed term becomes so familiar that we forget to drill down into what we read here in John 12:31, and we read right past it because we have that colloquial term in our thinking.
So, let’s ask the question, and really it is the question of the day.
Here’s the question: What did Jesus by the Holy Spirit mean when He said, ‘If I am lifted up, I will draw all men to me?’
Here’s the answer, and we will take this entire podcast to answer this question as fully as we are able.
Of course, Jesus being lifted up means His crucifixion.
Everybody knows that.
The crowd that followed Jesus, that heard Him say what He said in this regard, understood that He was talking about the manner of His death.

John 12:33–34 (ESV) — 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

So, you see that the multitude understood that Jesus was talking about death and dying.
But, there is more in the scripture about this ‘lifting up’ of Jesus is way more than physical death.

The Scarlet Thread of Jesus Being Lifted Up

There are several verses — several passages — that reference Jesus being lifted up throughout the Bible — not just in John’s gospel.
Look at these passages in Isaiah.

Isaiah 52:13 (ESV) — 13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.

If you back up about ten chapters in Isaiah to chapter forty-two, you can find out who this Servant is.

Isaiah 42:1 (ESV) — 1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

This Servant is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, notice that sandwiched around the words ‘lifted up’ in Isaiah fifty-two is the words ‘high’ and ‘exalted.’
God’s Servant is to be ‘lifted up’ but with that comes ‘high’ status and exaltation.
So, don’t just think of the death of Jesus, or the crucifixion of Jesus, when you hear the words ‘lifted up.’
Yes, Jesus was lifted up on a tree, but the road didn’t dead-end at the cross.
Jesus died, but He was raised.
He wasn’t just raised — he was lifted high. He was exalted.

Philippians 2:6–9 (ESV) — 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

So, you see, John separates the earth portion of Jesus being lifted from the exaltation portion of being lifted up to the Throne.
But, you don’t have to do that because you don’t have the gospels; you also have the epistles.
You not only know that Jesus died on a cross — you understand why He did.
The crowd Jesus ministered to didn’t see the Messiah as dying — they saw Him as reigning, and so they weren’t able to see the other side of the cross.
Now, I am making this point for a reason.
The story of Jesus is not just a story about the cross.
The cross was the doorway to exaltation — His exaltation because Jesus obeyed the Father God and your exaltation because you believed in Jesus.
The tremendous truth is that because of His obedience, God raised Him from the dead and not only from the dead but raised Him all the way to His own right hand in heaven.
But think about this — what is Jesus doing now at the Father’s right hand?

Hebrews 7:24–25 (ESV) — 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Now, this same Word of God that tells us that God lifted Jesus all the way to the Throne also tells us to come boldly to it.

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) — 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Now notice what the scripture didn’t say here.

John 12:31–32 (ESV) — 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.”

It didn’t say come boldly to the Cross.
No, it said to come boldly to the Throne.
This is a vital point for your life.
Some of God’s children have a ‘Cross religion.’
Followers of Jesus should have a Throne religion, not a Cross religion.
The Cross was a place of defeat — a place of death — a place of judgment.
The Cross was in the earth — it speaks of the happenings on earth — the evil disobedient happenings in the Garden of Eden – the sin of the inhabitants of planet earth.
But the Throne speaks of the glories of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and guess what? — you’re invited there.
Notice the Word of God here in John’s gospel; it is very distinct.
Jesus said, “If I am lifted up, I will draw all men to ME.”
Emphasis is on ME.
The scripture did not say, “I will draw all men to the Cross.”
The Cross is not the main attraction.
The main attraction, center stage, if you will, is a living Jesus to which men are drawn, not a suffering put to death Messiah.
So many, after they came to Jesus, want to fix their gaze on the Cross.
We sing about the Cross – get emotional about it – and pitch our tents around the Cross.
We wear a cross around our necks — we think that’s the main identifier of Christian.
We are struck and moved by the magnitude of His sacrifice for us.
And that’s okay – but just remember there is more to the lifting up of Jesus than the Cross.
Jesus was lifted all the way to Heaven.
To Him, we must come.

Matthew 11:28 (ESV) — 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Lifting Jesus Up and the Ministry of ‘Drawing’

Now let’s take a look at ‘the ministry of drawing.’
Jesus said if He were lifted up, He would draw all men to Himself.
With that thought, here’s the definition of the day.
The Greek word ‘draw’ in ‘will draw all people to myself’ means to attract powerfully, conceived of as drawing a heavy object out of something with great effort.
Ronald Trail, in the Exegetical Summary Commentary on John, says the clause ‘I will draw all people to myself’ is translated ‘I will make everyone want to come to me’ [CEV]. This verb means to draw and is figurative of the pull on a man’s inner life by God [BAGD].²
Here’s the point, the ‘lifting up of Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit’s ministry of making Jesus attractive to an unbeliever is connected.
One made the other possible.
Let’s say it a different way: the obedience of Jesus to the crucifixion opened up the door to God’s drawing or action in the heart – that inner pulling you sense when the Gospel is declared.
God’s not a bully when He pokes you in your heart about coming to Him.
Jesus’ obedient sacrifice made that possible.
He died for your salvation, and the Holy Spirit works on the heart to draw you to Jesus.
Again, by the lifting up of Jesus comes the ministry of ‘drawing.’
His lifting gave God access to your heart.
Listen to this drawing ministry of the Spirit in another passage.

John 6:44 (ESV) — 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Again, none of this would have been available if it wasn’t for Jesus.
Now, there is another significant passage in the Old Testament that references the lifting up of Jesus, and that is located in the book of Numbers.

Lifting Jesus Up and Identification

Numbers 21:4–9 (ESV) — 4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Israel’s children got over into sin by murmuring against the Lord and the Lord’s chosen vessel, Moses.
They pushed the door open to judgment by getting over into gross sin.
Yes, the Lord thinks murmuring is a terrible deal.
A wise man would take note of that fact and adjust accordingly.
When you don’t understand what’s going on, do everything you can to give God the benefit of the doubt.
So Israel’s actions opened the door to severe judgment.
What was it? — fiery that is poisonous snakes came into the camp and bit the people — many died.
But, the people repented of their sin and came to Moses and asked him to pray for them.
He did, and God gave them a way out of the judgment.
With God, there is always a way out, especially in the here and now, because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
What was the way – lift up a serpent on a pole – on a tree.
When anyone would look at the serpent, they would be healed of the venom in their body.
This entire episode is a double reference.
It was for the people of Israel in the Old Testament, but it was also for you and me in the New Testament.
Just like the serpent on the tree was lifted up, so Jesus was lifted up.
Back then — when anyone looked at the serpent, they lived.
Today, when you look to Jesus, you live.
Now, let’s talk about the biblical principle of substitution and identification.
The principle of identification states that we are one with Christ.
That’s a nice statement, but what does this mean?
The scriptural word identification means to consider and treat as the same or when two become utterly one.
Marriage is an example of identification.
The husband and wife become identified as one.
They have one name.
They are financially and legally one entity though they are physically two separate beings.
They are ‘one flesh’ identified together.
In spiritual terms, identification reads like this: “Jesus became what we were so that we might become what He is.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) – 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jesus identified with sin so that we might identify with righteousness.
Therefore my identity is the righteousness of God.
Once I have come to Him, “I am no longer just a sinner saved by grace,” as so many refer to themselves as.

Galatians 1:4 (KJV) – 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Jesus identified with sin so that we might identify with deliverance.
Therefore my identity is a delivered child of God.
You can take each of those ‘I am’ and ‘In Him’ statements in the list above and realize your true identity.

Substitution and the Lifting Jesus Up

What is Biblical substitution all about?
Well, a definition would help us here.
Substitution is when one takes the place of another.
Taking the place of another occurs, for example, in athletic contests.
One player substitutes for another.
When the substitute is in the game, it is just as if he is the starting player.
If the substitute makes an outstanding play that wins the game, the whole team enjoys the benefits of the win.
So, both the substitute on the field and the player that was substituted for wins.

1 Corinthians 15:3 (KJV) – 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

You can see the work of substitution here in Jesus’ life.
He became your substitute by taking your place and dying for your sins.
Jesus gained the victory.
He made the winning score, and because He is my substitute, I enjoy the victory also.
Now let’s put both substitution and identification together.
Both concepts, identification, and substitution, appear in the following verse found in Philippians two.

Philippians 2:7–8 (KJV) – 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Note the phrase ‘taking upon Himself the form of a servant’ — that’s identification.
The phrase ‘becoming obedient to death on the cross’ is substitution.
Here the two concepts merge again in the same verse in the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 2:17 (KJV) – 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

‘Being made like His brethren’ is identification.
‘Reconciling the sins of the people’ is substitution.
What all of these verses on identification and substitution show us is this fundamental truth: because Jesus became utterly one with you because He identified with you, He qualified to take your place.
He could pay the price of your transgressions by substituting Himself for you.
You could narrow this all down into this succinct one statement — Jesus became what you are so you can become what He is.

What Does A Real Disciple of Jesus Look Like?

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References:

Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 63–64. ↩
Ronald L. Trail, An Exegetical Summary of John 10–21, Exegetical Summaries (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2018), 142. ↩

emeryhorvath.com

Equipping people to pursue God's glory

How Jesus Being Lifted Up Impacts Your Life

Podcast: Light on Life Season Seven Episode Forty-Five

by Emery Horvath

Listen to the Audio

Click Play to Listen | Right Click to Download | Subscribe in Stitcher Radio

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Romans 8:14-16 tells us that children can expect to hear Him. Are you willing to hear God’s voice? — that is, are you open to His direction?

Join the Conversation

Question: What is your answer to the questions above? Please leave your response in the comments section below.

Episode Resources

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Podcast Notes

Jesus Said, If I Be Lifted Up

The Scarlet Thread of Jesus Being Lifted Up

Lifting Jesus Up and the Ministry of ‘Drawing’

Lifting Jesus Up and Identification

Substitution and the Lifting Jesus Up

Listen to the Audio

Click Play to Listen | Right Click to Download | Subscribe in Stitcher Radio

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Romans 8:14-16 tells us that children can expect to hear Him. Are you willing to hear God’s voice? — that is, are you open to His direction?

Join the Conversation

Question: What is your answer to the questions above? Please leave your response in the comments section below.

Episode Resources

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Podcast Notes

Jesus Said, If I Be Lifted Up

The Scarlet Thread of Jesus Being Lifted Up

Lifting Jesus Up and the Ministry of ‘Drawing’

Lifting Jesus Up and Identification

Substitution and the Lifting Jesus Up

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