All Peoples

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.

John 12:32-33

Christ understood the long-term effect of His work upon the cross. Our text derives from the narrative that describes His triumphal entry the week before His crucifixion. That event was uppermost in His mind. He refers to being ‘lifted up’, which is a direct reference to the cross. He knew that the overall effect of it would be that many people, a great multitude which no one can number would be drawn to Him as the result of that lifting up. They would come from every nation, kingdom, tongue, and tribe. They would come from every era of human history. There would be as many as the stars of the sky and the sand that is upon the seashore. His was a grand work with the farthest-reaching consequences. He is still being lifted up. Every time anyone brings Him to the conversation, He is being lifted up. Each time a proclaimer of Christ holds Him before others, He is being lifted up. The gospel makes much of His Person and His work. Believers are still communicating it today in a host of circumstances and conditions. People of every stripe and variety are still being drawn to Him and shall continue to be until all His sheep are gathered together into His one fold. He has done all things well.

Our Gracious God and our Savior,
we rejoice that You have been willing to be lifted up on the cross.
We praise You that, because You have,
many will be drawn to You.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning