There are two actions in the statement of Jesus below. First, Jesus was to be lifted up from the earth. Second, all men were to be drawn to him.
"If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself"
(Jhn 12:32)
There are three ways in which Jesus was lifted up from the earth, and in each of these there is something that draws men to him, something that gives one reason to be religious in
He draws us to the CROSS
Where we behold his PASSION.
When Jesus spoke of being "lifted up from the earth", he was indicating the kind of death he would die
But what is the attraction in this sickening atrocity? The high priest Caiaphas said that "one man should die for the people" and this was a prophecy that Jesus would die for people the world over. In doing this, Jesus was offering the ultimate service and showing the full extent of his love
In baptism, we are "crucified with him" and "buried with him"
He draws us to the TOMB
Where we behold his POWER.
Jesus, when he spoke of being "lifted up from the earth", was speaking in a context of public awareness and recognition that he was one who could raise the dead
In the new birth, we are "made alive with him" and "raised up with him"
He draws us to the CLOUD
Where we behold his PROMISE.
On the same day he spoke of being lifted up from the earth, Jesus told Andrew and Philip, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified"
Jesus promises his followers that he will return to gather them in rapture and take them into glory with him
If we remain faithful to Christ, we will be "glorified with him"