High and Lifted Up

During that period in my life when I came to know The Lord Jesus as my Lord and Savior, there was a praise song that was popular. In that song were the words "To see you high and lifted up, shining in the light of your glory, pour out your power and love as we sing holy, holy, holy." In my minds eye I always envisioned a bright and shining Jesus in flowing robes very clean and orderly, with his hands reaching out welcoming me to him. Naturally he was backlit with an aura about him.

I suppose that's a common perception but I now contend that it is naive and unrealistic. I'm not saying that it isn't a lovely thought, for it surely is, I'm just not sure that it is scripturally accurate. Hear me out and feel free to offer your objections.

My study verse for today is

John 12:32 (NIV)

³² But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” ^[1]

^[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Upon first reading this passage, my mind immediately runs to the vision of Christ rising up to the clouds as he ascends to heaven. But then, I study the passage intently looking past the euphoric feelings and paying close attention to the context of Christ's words.

We must remember that these words were said by Christ as the prelude to his crucifixion. In the verse (31) that precedes this one, Christ said "now is the time for judgment on this world, now the prince of this world will be driven out." It was at this point that Christ declared that the purpose for which he had come was about to be realized. Therefore, what was on his mind was not choir-lofts full of angels but a cross full of anguish. He was not envisioning robes of glory but rather the casting of lots for his robes. This was not a moment of beauty but of pain.

Turning our attention to what He said "when I am lifted up..." This speaks of something that is inevitable, 'when' as opposed to 'if'. Some versions do read 'if' but it does not imply that there is any sense of a different outcome but rather a condition that precedes a result. Nevertheless, 'when I am lifted up...' does not convey the ultimate ascension but rather the crucifixion.

Upon examination of how the words 'lifted up' or 'lift up' are used throughout Scripture I discover that it is used primarily in three different manners. First, it is used to indicate an offering. This includes lifting your hands, lifting your hearts, lifting your praise and lifting your sacrifice. Secondly, it is used to indicate a preparation for an attack or to strike down. Thirdly, it is used to indicate a form or protection or deliverance.

If we examine how Christ himself used the term 'lifted up' elsewhere in scripture, we find that in John 3:14 Christ made a reference to that time when Moses lifted up the snake in the desert and the certainty that so too must the Son of Man be lifted up. You may remember this story when the nation of Israel was plagued by snakes and many were bitten and died. The deliverance from their affliction was a bronze snake mounted on a pole. All who were bitten by the vipers could look upon this bronze snake and be healed. This of course was an early prediction of the crucifixion of Christ to which we shall return in a few moments.

Another example of how Christ used this term is found in John 8:28 when Jesus said "when you have lifted up the Son of Man..." which alludes to the fact that the lifting up of Jesus was to be accomplished by man. I can only conclude from this research that Jesus is referring to his own crucifixion.

Here's why... if indeed it is a reference to the crucifixion, it is;

1) Consistent with the use of 'lifting up' as a form of offering or sacrifice. Christ is the sacrifice.

2) Consistent with the use of 'lifting up' as a form of attack. Satan is defeated.

3) Consistent with the use of 'lifting up' of a form of protection of deliverance. We are delivered.

4) Consistent with the 'type' from the Old Testament as illustrated by the snake on a pole offering healing to all who looked upon it. (In this case, we are all bitten by the snake (Lucifer) and afflicted with a fatal condition (sin). When we cast our eyes upon the cross, accepting the sacrifice of Christ, we are healed. We were not healed by the ascension.)

5) Consistent with the concept that the lifting up would be accomplished by men. The ascension was accomplished by God.

With this in mind then, the concept of high and lifted up takes on a much more somber note.

Returning to the study of our passage today, Christ further predicts that as a result of his being 'lifted up from the earth' he 'will draw all men to myself.' A couple of thoughts on this. First, this is not an allusion to the unconditional salvation of all men but rather a revelation that his atoning sacrifice was not only for the Jews but also for the Greeks, the Romans and all Gentiles. Secondly, the drawing of all men is not a vision of one giant huddle. It is rather the explanation that by His sacrifice, people of every nation, tribe and tongue would love Him.

Consider your love for Christ in the light of these questions;
1) Do you love Him for stepping down from heaven?
2) Do you love Him for his lowly birth?
3) Do you love Him for his simple life?
4) Do you love Him for the miracles he performed?
5) Do you love Him for his resurrection?
6) Do you love Him for his descension into hell?
7) Do you love Him for his ascension into heaven?
8) Do you love Him for his imminent return?

Or do you, like me, love him for his sacrifice? Isn't it his selflessness and sacrifice, his crucifixion that draws you to him as the object of your affection? This is what Christ was talking about when he said "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."

With this understanding in my mind, the words of that song take on a totally new and deeper meaning. To see you high and lifted up (on the cross) shining in the light of your glory (selfless sacrifice and total obedience to God the Father) pour out your power (by coming to earth) and love (by pouring out your blood) as we sing holy, holy, holy. In my mind's eye I see the beaten, battered and bloody Christ. It's a very messy image as He dies upon the cross, racked with pain, alone and in the dark. His hands are spread wide, wide as can be, open for the entire world across all time. For me. For you. Forever.

Carl