The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 14 September 2026 – If I Be Lifted Up
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TOPIC – If I Be Lifted Up
READ: John 12:31-36
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
THE MESSAGE:
In John 12:32, Jesus reveals the striking significance of His sacrifice on the cross. This verse reminds us of the centrality of the cross in human history. The phrase “lifted up” refers to His crucifixion; and also carries a spiritual relevance in relation to His exaltation and glorification. The result of His ‘lifting’ was to be a ‘drawing’; a powerful, irresistible attraction of a universal scope. When Jesus prayed in verse 28 saying, “Father, glorify your name”, the Father responded through a voice from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” When Jesus was lifted out of the water of Baptism in the Jordan (Luke 3:21-22), men followed Him (Luke 5:1-11). When He was lifted on the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1ff), the disciples had more reasons to follow Him. Now, He was to be lifted on the cross, and the barriers and chains everywhere had to break so that the whole world could follow Him.
Whenever there is a lifting of Jesus, there is a drawing of men; it is a drawing for salvation, for deliverance, for redemption and for sanctification. These are the undeniable outcomes whenever and wherever Jesus Christ is lifted. Today, there are many who are lifting themselves by their actions and trying hard to draw Jesus with their lips. As Christians, It is high time we retraced our steps and returned to the fundamental pattern of lifting up Jesus Christ so He can draw men to Himself.
PRAYER: Lord, help me draw men to You, and not to me in any form. Amen.
