Jesus “lifted up”

A message repeated for two consecutive weeks

“Lifted up” is a common phrase that establishes a connection or a vertical thread between the gospels of the Fourth and Fifth Weeks of Lent in Year B. In the gospel for the Fourth Week, Jesus says, “The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life” (Jn 3:14), and in the gospel for the Fifth Week, Jesus says, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (Jn 12:32).

“Lifted up” is the translation of the Greek verb hypsothenai, and it has a double meaning.  When Jesus spoke about being lifted up, he was referring both to his crucifixion and his glorification.

In the Fourth Gospel, Jesus never makes an explicit reference to his impending death on the Cross as he does in the Passion predictions in the Synoptic gospels (Mt 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:34; Lk 9:22,44; 18:33). Rather, he makes a veiled reference to his upcoming crucifixion. To be “lifted up” is to be elevated physically. This took place after he was nailed to the Cross on the ground and then, with himself affixed to the wood, was hoisted into an upright position. He was “indicating the kind of death he would die” (Jn 12:33).

Ironically, even though it seemed like Jesus was humiliated in his suffering and defeated in his death, in actuality, Jesus reigned in grandeur from the Cross, gloriously triumphant, greatly exalted, because it was from the Cross that Jesus grants eternal life to all believers (Jn 3:15b) and draws everyone to himself (Jn 12:32). Jesus said that the “lifting up” would confirm his divinity: “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM” (Jn 8:28).

“Lifted up” also refers to his final exaltation and glorification. Jesus was lifted up from the grave when he rose from the dead, lifted up from the earth when he ascended to heaven, and lifted up to his throne where he reigns in glory as Savior of the world and King of the universe.

Jesus compared his lifting up to when Moses lifted up a serpent in the desert (Jn 3:14; Nm 21:6-9). When someone who had been bitten by a snake looked at the bronze serpent that was mounted on a pole, the person recovered (Nm 21:9). When someone who is afflicted looks at Jesus mounted on the Cross, the person receives “eternal life” (Jn 3:15). “Eternal life” refers to healing and good health both during life on earth and for all eternity in heaven. Jesus crucified grants salus, health, first for soul and body while alive, and then upon death, salvation, created anew with an imperishable body, in perfect health, blessed with everlasting life.

The crucified Jesus heals us from the Cross. When spiritually afflicted, bitten by temptation, stung by the venom of evil, and poisoned by sin, look to Jesus for forgiveness and the grace to live a holy and virtuous life. When lost, look to Jesus for direction; when weak, look to Jesus for strength; when lonely, look to Jesus for companionship; without a meaningful life, look to Jesus for purpose; and when sick, injured, or suffering, look to Jesus for healing and relief.

Jesus lifted up reaches out from his Cross to draw everyone to himself. His arms are extended. His hands are open. We need not remain in the grasp of sin. Jesus wants to take us into his protective arms and save us with his healing grace, both now and for all eternity.