The Uplifted Christ Series

Scripture

The year was 30 AD. Thousands of Jewish pilgrims had come to Jerusalem from all over the world for the upcoming Passover feast. Many Jews came to Jerusalem a week before the Passover to ceremonially cleanse themselves and also to prepare for the Passover. Word had spread among the pilgrims that a young, traveling rabbi, prophet, and healer from Galilee was in Bethany staying at the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. Bethany was a village just east of Jerusalem and Jesus was staying there the weekend prior to Passover (John 11:55-12:1, 9-11). Many people traveled from Jerusalem to Bethany—a distance of about two miles (John 11:18)—to see the once-dead-but-now-alive Lazarus and the miracle-healer Jesus. They returned to Jerusalem believing in Jesus’ power to raise the dead back to life (John 12:9-11, 17-18).

The people of Israel were oppressed by Rome. Patriotic fervor always grew at Passover. And this year it was especially vigorous because Jesus was a national sensation. All Jews wanted a Messiah, a deliverer, one who would deliver them from Roman oppression. The Romans maintained their power by killing any opposition, and they were extremely effective at it. But how could the Romans defeat someone who could raise the dead at will? So, Jesus raised Jewish nationalistic expectations with his powerful teaching and healing powers that were so great that he could even raise the dead back to life again.

After observing the Sabbath (Friday evening through Saturday evening) at Bethany, Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday morning, April 1, 30 AD. We call this Palm Sunday, and it was the first day of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life.

The people of Jerusalem and the Passover pilgrims were filled with messianic expectation. Would Jesus be their deliverer? Would he save his people from their oppression?

On that first Palm Sunday morning, Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. He instructed two of his disciples to fetch him a donkey and its colt on which he would ride into Jerusalem. Jesus was communicating to the Passover pilgrims that he was fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, that Israel’s future king would come riding on a colt, and also by copying Solomon’s entrance into Jerusalem when he was coronated as king (cf. 1 Kings 1:32-40).

As Jesus made his approach into Jerusalem, the crowds rightly interpreted his actions and spread palm branches to create a sort of royal red carpet and acclaimed him as their Davidic king (cf. 2 Kings 9:13; Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:10). The crowds were proclaiming Jesus—and not Caesar—as their king!

The entire city was shaken by these events. The Pharisees instructed Jesus to rebuke the crowds for their dangerous messianic exuberance, but he refused to suppress their enthusiasm (Matthew 21:15-17; Luke 19:39-40).

Now there were some Greeks among the Passover pilgrims. The wanted to meet with Jesus, and they did. We don’t know what they asked Jesus. But we do know that Jesus responded by predicting his imminent death and describing it as the very purpose for which he had come (John 12:27). Then, astonishingly, a voice from heaven affirmed God’s commitment to glorify God’s name through the coming death of Jesus (John 12:28-29). Jesus went on to clarify what it was that awaited him: death by crucifixion (being “lifted up from the earth,” John 12:32). Yet, it was by this death that Jesus would deal a crushing blow to Satan (John 12:31).

Let’s read about the uplifted Christ in John 12:32:

32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)

Introduction

What would you say if I told you your car could defy gravity, and roll uphill all by itself? Well, it can at Spook Hill! The hill in Lake Wales, Florida is a magnetic hill or “gravity hill.” Gravity hills can be found all over the world, and continue to spur folklore and curiosity as cars appear to roll uphill when placed in neutral gear. Not only is Spook Hill one of our country’s oldest known gravity hills, it is also the only known magnetic hill in the state of Florida. At Spook Hill, your car seems to coast uphill all by itself. But it is only an illusion.

To many, Jesus’ death on a cross is merely an illusion. Oh, some agree that he really died on a cross at Calvary. But, they deny that his death has any effect on anyone. They argue that Jesus’ death on a cross is just like the death of any other person.

Lesson

John 12:32 teaches us several truths about Jesus’ cross.

Let’s use the following outline that I am taking from Robert Shannon’s book titled, Sermon Outlines for Special Days :

1. We Feel the Pull of the Cross