Christ Lifted Up

There is no greater or meaningful event in the history of the world than what happened in Jerusalem on that fateful day that Christ was crucified. Period! The world had been created, people had been created, animals had been created, everything the world needed was in place; then it happened, the serpent ushered sin into the world. Everything was in place then everything changed. Now, there was one puzzle piece added and one piece missing!

There was something added in the world that had to be removed and there was something not in the world that had to replace it. Perfection stepped aside while sin stepped in. Now Perfection would have to step back in and replace sin. This would prove to be no easy task. How do you replace something cancerous and deadly with something pure and undefiled?

Jesus tried to explain his mission and purpose to Nicodemus that night he came to Jesus searching for answers to some tough questions. What he told Nicodemus probably didn’t make much sense at the moment, but when Nicodemus was there at the crucifixion a short three years later, he understood perfectly through his tears.

“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.” John 3:14

The reference to Moses is found in Numbers 21:5-9. That part everyone can understand, but why does this Son of Man have to be lifted up, and who exactly is he? The Bible tells us that the Son Man is the Son of God, and the part about Him being lifted up is obvious. When Christ was crucified, he was nailed to a wooden cross and “lifted” off the ground for everyone to witness. A carpenter who worked with wood most of his life is now nailed to a wooden cross. Can you hear that piece of wood weeping “I’m so sorry”?

Let’s be crystal clear here: Christ looked upon his cruxification as the completion of all his work, and therefore he looked upon it as exaltation. Christ won more love by the cross than he ever did win elsewhere in his 33 years. He won more adoration, love and glory by nails than scepters. Christ was never so lifted up as when he was cast down to be nailed to a cross. About being lifted up Christ said: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself”—John 12:32 He will draw us heavenward. Does the wood in the trees still weep? Everyday—I’m sure.

Our bottom line comes from the chorus of an old Gospel Song: “Nothing took his life with love he gave it. He was crucified on a tree that he created. With great love for man, God gave with his plan. He grew the tree so that we might go free.”