Episode 34: Lift up
LIFT UP
The Gospel of John frequently utilizes language that possesses multiple possible meanings. The most famous example is “you must be born again” which can also mean “you must be born from above.” Nicodemus gives the word the first meaning while Jesus intends the second. The word translated “to lift up” identifies a crucial theme throughout this gospel because its secondary meaning, to exalt, is what the Gospel describes as happening when Jesus’ body is lifted up on the cross. The presentation of these two ideas within a single event is important throughout the gospel and closely related to Jesus’ hour. During Jesus’ death no two ideas could be further from each other than the shame brought about through crucifixion and the honor granted him by God from the same event.In the Old Testament
Exalt is a frequent translation of the Greek word, hupsoō, in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. The word appears within the book of Psalms fifty-one (51) times across a series of meanings. This word is also commonly found throughout the prophetic writings. In the prophet Isaiah, one prophecy includes am important repetition regarding this theme.
“For the Lord’s eyes are uplifting, but those of humans
are degrading; the pride of humans will be brought
low, while the LORD alone will be exalted on that
day. . . . All humans will be brought low, and those
whom humans exalt will fall, while the LORD alone will
be exalted on that day.” (Isaiah 2:11, 17 LXX)
The teaching of Jesus found in Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11 and Luke 18:14 reflects this same message. “But whoever exalts himself will be brought low and whoever lowers himself will be exalted.”
Elsewhere in John
This gospel’s limited emphasis on lifting up or exalting is a departure from the Old Testament’s wider meanings. John’s gospel utilizes this theme to describe the Son of Man, and specifically Jesus as this coming Son of Man. The first appearance provides the foundation for meaning in the gospel, and at the same time links John’s message with the Old Testament.
Just as Moses lifted up the image of a snake in the
wilderness, the Son of Man must be lifted up in the same
fashion, (John 3:14).
The Son of Man, as Jesus describes him, will be lifted up on a standard–what we today call a pole–from which we get the phrase “standard bearer.” Only through this action is the Son of Man truly revealed. Even though the story about the serpent in the wilderness found in Numbers 21:8-9 does not include this Greek word, hupsoō, another theme links this event to the gospel. God instructs Moses to place the bronze snake upon a standard, in Greek semeion the word we translate in the Gospel of John as 'sign.' (See Episode 24) In addition, Numbers also records God describing that whoever looks at this raised up sign will live, another significant theme. (Episode 2)
Jesus reaffirms this status for the Son of Man, while also associating himself with this figure, during his discussion with the Jewish leaders and others at the Fall Festival. “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that “I AM,” and that I do nothing from my own initiative but just as the Father taught me, these are the things that I speak.” (John 8:28)
As the story of John moves toward the last few days of Jesus’ life, the crowd disputes Jesus’ own teaching on the activities of the Messiah/Son of Man, which does indicate that they have listened to him, at least to a degree.
“We have heard from the Law that the Messiah remains
into the ages, so how can you say that it is necessary for
the Son of Man to be lifted up? Who exactly is this one
known as the Son of Man?” (John 12:34)
But the crowd is referring to something Jesus’ has just stated, which they don’t fully comprehend. “Judgment is now upon this world, the ruler of this world has now been cast out; and if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:31-32) Jesus’ references to the Son of Man being lifted up in chapters 3 and 8 become associated with Jesus in order to clarify his status as the Messiah (see Episode 16) and the Son of Man (see Episode 23).
The Gospel of John begins to clarify that “to lift up” should also mean “to glorify” during the illness of Lazarus. After hearing that Lazarus is sick, Jesus informs his disciples that “This illness is not deadly but for God’s glory so that the Son of God might be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) During the discussion at the Temple during Jesus’ final Passover week, Jesus further clarifies by telling the crowd that “The hour has arrived for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:23). He further clarifies this relationship in his discussion with the disciples on the final evening. “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified by him;” (John 13:31)
The words of Jesus in the prayer of John 17 clarify who is being glorified. “Father, the hour has come; Glorify your Son so that he might glorify you,” (17.1); “I have glorified you on the earth by completing the works you gave me to perform; Father, now glorify me with the glory I had in your presence before the world existed,” (17:4-5); and “everything that is mine is yours and everything that is yours is mine, now I have been glorified by them.” (17.10)
Yet even before Jesus speaks to his disciples on the final night, the Evangelist has clarified the significance of these next few hours and days. “His disciples did not understand these words at first, but when Jesus had been glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done these things for him.” (John 12:16)
Concluding Thought
The Son of Man, the Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus; all these names are caught up in the same person. Jesus of Nazareth, the Word at the Beginning with God, became flesh in order that He might be lifted up. As Moses fashioned a snake and raised it up for those who had been bitten by a poisonous viper in the wilderness, Jesus is raised above the ground on a post so that many might look upon him and be released from the certain death brought by a serpent in the Garden. Only by being lifted up on the cross can He be glorified; that is, can He be exalted as the Word with God in the Beginning, the source of all things, even Grace and Truth. (John 1:3, 17)
Take 5 Minutes More
As humans, we are taught to think in a linear means with a direct proportion. If I save money, then the account balance will increase. If I drive my car, then the fuel level will decrease. We rarely consider activities with an inverse proportion. The kingdom of God operates on many realities in the realm of inverse proportions. One common phrase is “Many who are first will be the last and those who are last will be first.” (Mark 10:31) This inverse reality guides Jesus’ exaltation. The greatest shame willingly endured will bring about the greatest honor.
Take a few moments to consider the driving idea behind your life narrative. Do you act in a way that identifies a philosophy that greater effort results in greater returns? Or, do you choose to serve others so that you might receive the greater reward? When it comes to the Kingdom of God and living as one of Jesus’ disciples, only one philosophy can guide your life. Which one will guide your life?