LIFT HIM UP

John 12:27-33
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Predicts His Death

27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”

Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.

30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.


There are many wonderful programs, ministries, departments or auxiliaries in our churches. They provide varying opportunities for people to get involved in the work of kingdom building. From the choir and ushers to the youth department; from the mission ministries to the custodial staff; from the office staff to the pastoral staff; all these and many more make the life of the church vibrant, relational and functional.

Jesus called his disciples from their prior occupations and asked them to “Follow me.” They walked from city to city and He taught them as they went. Jesus performed miracles before the people and His disciples. He went into the synagogues, teaching, worshiping and practicing the traditions of the Jewish faith. When the hour of His death was at hand, Jesus didn’t talk about all they had been doing over the prior three years. Jesus said, “…when I am lifted up … I will draw everyone to myself.”

In all our great church programming, let us never lose focus on lifting Jesus up!