Five Significant Statements by Jesus

John 12:32-33

 In a single sentence that can be broken down into five parts, our Lord spoke about five matters of utmost significance.

“And I, if I”

In an age of being all-inclusive and not offending anyone we need this message: none other but Jesus. Perhaps stressing that He is the One and only One, Jesus repeats, “I…I…”

He is the bread, Jo. 6:35; the light, Jo. 8:12; the door, Jo. 10:9; the shepherd, Jo. 10:11; the means of resurrection and life, Jo. 11:25; the vine, Jo. 15:1; the true and living way and the means of coming to the Father, Jo. 14:6; His words are the standard of judgment, Jo. 12:48. For these reasons, there is salvation in none other, Acts 4:12 and all who refuse to believe “I am he” will die in their sins, Jo. 8:24.

 “be lifted up from the earth,”

Just as a crucified Christ was foolishness and a stumbling block in the first century, 1 Cor. 1:23; 1 Pet. 2:7-8, so it is in the twenty-first. But John tells us clearly that this statement of Jesus’ was a reference to his death, Jo. 12:33; 3:14; 8:28

“will draw”

Jesus twists the arms of no one. He leads us to the Father by His love, Jo. 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8; His suffering, 1 Pet. 3:18; His grace, Eph. 2:8; by teaching the gospel, Rom. 1:16; Jo. 6:44. And so we lead, not drive, people to obedience by our influence, 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 3:1-6; Phil. 2:14-16 and our teaching, Rom. 1:15.

“all men”

No qualifier: not just Jews or the predestinated, but “whosoever”, Gal. 3:28. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight” are not just cute words in a children’s song. They are the “whosoever” of Jo. 3:16.

“To Myself.”

Not an organization, denomination, or party. Unless Christ is formed in us, Gal. 4:19, party or church affiliation means nothing.

Isn’t is amazing how, in few words, Jesus taught such profound lessons. Truly ,"Never did a man speak the way this man speaks." Jo. 7:46

David Smitherman