Pastor Mikes Daily Devotion Thursday May 22, 2014 John 12:32–33, And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die. Because Jesus was lifted up, we should lift Him up at every opportunity. He should be lifted up in every sermon that is preached, He should be lifted up every time someone asks what they must do to be saved, and we should lift Him up in our daily manner of living. Although all of these things are essential to do in a Christians life, this is not what is being spoken of here. To be lifted up from the earth means to be crucified, and Jesus wants us to see the importance of His death here. Without the crucifixion, no one is drawn to God, and we are still in our sins. In John 3:16, we are told that God loved the world to such a degree that as a result of that love, He sent His Son to die so that we may live. The ultimate expression of the love that God has for mankind is the cross of Christ. Now because Christ was lifted up, all of mankind will be drawn or attracted to Him. For those who submit to the call of Christ through the gospel being preached, they will be saved. Our motivation to reveal the crucified Christ to people is that there is a day coming when all who have refused the calling of Christ or denied the gospel will stand before Him in judgment. On that day of judgment, the drawing will be unavoidable. All humanity, apart from Christ, will stand in judgment before Him. As the Apostle Paul said, It is because of the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. The reason we lift up Christ is because Christ was first lifted up for all mankind, so that whoever would believe in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. Hosea 11:4, I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 13:52:08 +0000
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