Lifted Up
Scripture Reading: John 3:14-15
Continuing on in our meditation on these verses, we notice the words “lifted up.” If we didn’t know the Old Testament story, we might be uncertain what that means. Since we know the Old Testament account, we know that what happened was Moses put the bronze serpent on the top of a pole or staff. We would be right to assume that the parallel is Christ being crucified by being nailed to the cross.
There is another element to this. It has a double meaning. The pole on which Moses placed the serpent was a staff. The word used is the word for a staff on which a banner or flag is placed. A banner was a symbol that was intended to draw your attention. You were supposed to notice it. You were supposed to see it. A banner/flag was used as a rallying point for a people. The idea is that it does mean what it sounds like it means. It means the serpent was put in an elevated position in the camp. But it has the double meaning that it was put in an exalted place as well in order to be the “banner” around which the people rallied.
Jesus used the same language in John 12:32 that he used with Nicodemus in John 3.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”
John adds the explanation that, He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
People have plucked John 12:32 up and used it to exhort people to worship and praise the Lord, implying that it would have the effect of drawing people to Christ. They are missing the main part of the equation. That is why John adds the explanation. Jesus was first and foremost talking about His crucifixion. But it isn’t totally wrong to suggest that our “lifting up” of Christ has evangelistic value.
Just as the serpent was put in a prominent place in the camp so that it would be seen and noticed, we must make the crucified, resurrected Christ known (lifted up) so that He will be seen and noticed and believed in.
Writing to the Galatian churches Paul said, “It was before your eyes that Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.” Paul was not saying that they had seen the actual crucifixion. He was saying that the apostolic preaching they had heard had turned their ears into eyes. He is saying that the crucified and resurrected Jesus was portrayed before them in a way that they “saw” Him. He was “lifted up” and drew them to Himself.
Jesus was lifted up. Lift up Jesus.
