Tag: Jesus lifted up
Sunday Rest: Jesus Lifted Up!
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ! Welcome to another day of rest in His finished work of redemption! It is at the cross that we find our rest with God and can enter into relationship with Him. The cross of Christ draws our attention and draws us Him.
In John 3, Jesus had an encounter with a prominent teacher of the Jews, Nicodemus. He came to Jesus by night to ask Him some questions. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was a teacher sent from God and noted the miracles that He had done. Jesus told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God unless they were born again! (John 3:3) Nicodemus had trouble grasping how this might take place. He was thinking about natural birth and growth when Jesus told him about the Spirit bringing the second birth. Nicodemus asked him how this could take place and Jesus answered him with one of the most famous verses in the Bible. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-16
Jesus used an incident in the life of Moses where the people were dying from a plague of poisonous snakes. Moses had prayed and God showed him what to do. He was to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole and lift it up in the center of the camp. Any Israelite who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent in faith, believing that God would heal him and receive that healing. (Numbers 21:1-8) Jesus presented Himself as the One Who would be lifted up and all who looked at Him and believed, would be saved from the universal bite of the ancient serpent, Satan.
God’s great love for us motivated Him to send His Son to be lifted up for us! Jesus, Who knew no sin, was made sin for us that we might be saved. All who would believe on Him would be born again by the Holy Spirit. They would receive the gift of God’s heavenly Breath or Wind! What amazing truth comes as we contemplate the lifting up of the Son of Man!
Now God has lifted Him to the highest place! He is risen from the dead and ascended into heaven! He is praying and interceding for us today! We who believe are seated with Him and will enjoy eternal life!
In His Love, Pastor John
Jesus lifted up–Prince of darkness driven out!
Scripture reading for May 22nd: John 12:20-50
Jesus was in an intense spiritual battle with the prince of darkness as He approached the final days on earth. Many people had welcomed Him into Jerusalem crying “Hosanna” and great crowds looked for Him and many followed Him. The religious leaders were plotting His death and one of His own disciples was preparing to betray Him. He knew from His Father that He was to willingly lay down His life for His people and for the whole world.
A group of Greeks came to the disciples and wanted to see Jesus. “Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” (John 12:23-26) Jesus was saying that His time to die was near. Anyone wanting to follow Jesus, must be willing to follow Him, even to the point of giving up their life. Curiosity and commitment are two different things. The Father would honor commitment.
“Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name!” As Jesus prayed, suddenly a voice from heaven spoke, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28) The Father had spoken to encourage those who were listening to His Son.
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:31-32) As Jesus was encouraged by His future glorification, He explained the purpose and manner of His death. He would be nailed to the cross and lay His life down while bearing man’s sins. Judgment would come on the world and the prince of this world, Satan, would be driven out! Death would be defeated and all men would be drawn to Jesus Christ!