The Upward Look

THE UPWARD LOOK

Hebrews 12:2-Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I heard the story about a man in New York city who one day begin to look into the sky. After a few minutes, several men joined him in looking upward. As they continued to look up many more joined them. Finally after over a 100 people were standing in the street looking upward, one man punched the man and said, what are looking of for? Nobody knew!!!

There are many people today who are looking in all directions but the main direction. And that is in the direction of Jesus Christ. The first look a person must have of Jesus is that of Jesus on the cross dying for their sins.

John 12:32-And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

In this verse, Jesus is like a mighty magnet that draws men unto Himself. The Pharisees had recognized his drawing power for they said in John 12:39-The whole world is gone after Him.

The Greeks in this Chapter were drawn unto Him, for they said to Phillip in 12:21-Sirs, we would see Jesus.

I-LETS LOOK AT THE PERSON WHO DRAWS:

John 12:32a-And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. AND ACCORDING TO VERSE 30, THIS I IS JESUS.

A-HE IS THE CHRIST OF CREATION:

Col. 1:16-For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

When you and I use the word I over and over again, it is a sign of pride. But when Jesus uses it, it denotes authority, domination. WE ARE THE LITTLE I, HE IS THE BIG I.

On Christmas Day 1968, the three astronauts of Apollo 8 circled the dark side of the moon and headed for home. Suddenly, over the horizon of the moon rose the blue and white Earth garlanded by the glistening light of the sun against the black void of space. Those sophisticated men, trained in science and technology, did not utter Einstein’s name. They did not even go to the poets, the lyricists, or the dramatists. Only one thing could capture the awe-inspiring thrill of this magnificent observation. Billions heard the voice from outer space as the astronaut read it: "In the beginning God"--the only concept worthy enough to describe that unspeakable awe, unutterable in any other way. "In the beginning God created"

Note-God does not make clones; each person is different, a tribute to God’s creativity.

So the one doing the drawing is not a mere man, but the almighty God of the universe. That is amazing to me.

B-HE IS THE CHRIST OF CRUCIFIXION:

John 12:33-This he said, signifying what death he should die.

We don’t "lift up" Jesus with our praises in the sense He means here. He was lifted up on the cross, and we proclaim that fact to the world. We lift Jesus up by preaching Christ

The story of Marie Antoinette of France. Before she was put in prison to be executed by the guillotine the next day, her hair was black as a raven, and her eyes sky blue, but the next day as they led her away, her hair was white and her skin wrinkled overnight. Why? The fear of the suffering she would face. ALSO JESUS SUFFERED BEFORE THE CROSS IN THE GARDEN AND ON THE CROSS.

A minister, going through a mental institution, was stopped by a woman, who asked: "Mr. Minister, what work of man will there be in Heaven?" "None, my dear lady," he said, thinking to answer as quickly as possible and get away. "Oh, yes, there will! Can’t you tell me?" "No, I cannot; but will you tell me?" said the minister. "Oh, sir," she replied, "it will be the prints of the nails of the hands and feet of the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the only work of man that there will be in Heaven."

II-LETS LOOK AT THE POWER WITH WHICH HE DRAWS:

John 12:32b-And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

He draws through His sinless life, His divine love, His flawless teaching and His perfect sacrifice. But who does He uses?

A-HE USES THE SPIRIT TO DRAW PEOPLE:

John 16:8-And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

He will convict:-Men cannot come to an understanding of sin, righteousness and judgment apart from the Holy Spirit.