Again he said to them, "I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." Then the Jews said, "Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he." They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him." They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him." As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
“Lifted up…” It’s almost comical that the Jews still don’t understand who Jesus is (see my comment on Jews - 2/3/2012). Jesus seems even more frustrated with the situation, and wonders why he is speaking to them at all. As if to say, “what’s the use?” Jesus offers the way to eternal life and reconciliation with God, and they still don’t comprehend.
The phrase “lifted up” jumps out at me because I remember the Old Testament story of Moses in the wilderness and the serpent bites. Moses lifted up a serpent on a pole. When Israel looked at the serpent they were healed. [Numbers 21:4-8] We know that if I remembered the story, these faithful people that Jesus was speaking to do. Jesus offers them a new healing and restoration by their belief in him and the witness of his crucifixion yet to come. He doesn’t come right out and say it, but he does say, “when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he.” Jesus points out to them the time when they will actually get it.
If we were to read this passage without knowing the rest of the story, it might be confusing. I think sometimes that we assume folks know the stories, so we speak in “high context” language, and don’t explain the undertones or the missing pieces. In reflection and study of scripture, it is important to look deep into the story and try to fully understand the truths that it holds.
The call today is clear and directly from Jesus’ words… “If you continue in my word, and are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” We struggle every day to stay engaged with what God is doing in our life, and how we discern God’s presence with us. Being a disciple doesn’t mean that we have it all figured out, but it does mean that we consistently strive to understand and follow Jesus. If we are honest in our efforts, participate and nurture our souls with his teaching, then Jesus will make the truth known to us, and we will be free from sin and death.
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