“Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.”
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 8:28-30; 12:32
Throughout His public ministry, Jesus spoke of the time He would be lifted up, and the disciples could not comprehend what He meant. Many believed in some measure at that point, but it was not until after seeing Him lifted up on the cross, raised in resurrection, ascended in glory, that the Holy Spirit gave full understanding of the lifting and its implications. Yes, the lifting up of this Messiah was indeed the crux of their faith and reason and the wellspring of their joy. Life from here out would be exhausted for the purpose of lifting up His name unto the salvation of many and His ongoing praise. (Acts 1:4-5,8-9)
“Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
spotless Lamb of God was he,
full atonement-can it be?
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Lifted up was he to die;
‘It is finished’ was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!” ~Philip P. Bliss (1875)
When we behold Christ lifted up on the cross, would we bow in gratitude, humble adoration, and worship of this great Savior? Gazing at Jesus ascending in the cloud, do we marvel at His power and authority? Seeing the Lord high and lifted up on His unshakable throne, would we repent, and rejoice? (Isaiah 6:1-8)
“Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified;
no angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends their burning eye
at mysteries so bright.
Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)
How will we lift high the name and fame of Jesus in song, word, and deed today?
“Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!” ~Charles Wesley (1739)
Alleluia, amen!
As the rain and snow 