Point for Meditation: John 12:32 - “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

It isn’t clear or specific what happened on this day, two days leading up to Jesus’ final Passover, from the Bible. That being said, there is an event that could have possibly taken place on this day, and which we can draw a lesson from nonetheless. John 12:20-32 has the first part of the story, and specifically John 12:27-32 is what we will read:

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” ²⁹Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” ³⁰Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. ³¹Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. ³²And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

First thing to remark upon: God the Father spoke from Heaven. People heard something like thunder, others figured it was an angel (it seems only Jesus heard it for what it was and could understand it), and Jesus explained that the voice was for their sake.

Anyway, so then Jesus says that if He is lifted up (a play on words to both reference the method by which He would die—crucifixion—and the fact that He would be raised to life and sit at God’s right hand forever), He will draw all people to Himself.

He drove home the point here that His sacrifice would cover all of humanity—not just the Jews, not just the descendants of Abraham—but everybody in their time. Now is the time for those He calls firstfruits, and eventually, it will be open to be understood for everybody who’s ever lived. Those who live through the Great Tribulation into the Millennial reign of Christ when He returns will have their eyes opened then. The vast majority of human kind who have lived and died over the millennia, at the end of that period (Revelation 20:11-15, Daniel 12:2).

It’s important to remember this and to keep it firmly in our heart at all times. It’s easy to separate ourselves—“us” and “them.” We want to remain unspotted from “the world,” yes, but we also must not forget that “the world” is made up of people who—just like you and I—have sinned and need God’s intervention in their life. We must not forget that it’s people from “the world” whom God calls into His glorious way of life! We must strive to be a tool in God’s hand, usable to bring about those peoples’ calling if that’s God’s will. Be a light. Shine bright. Don’t withdraw into a condemnatory attitude of superiority and derision.

Today’s Point for Meditation: John 12:32 - “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”