Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die (John 12:31-33).
Dominating the city of Rio de Janeiro and atop Mount Corcovado, rising nearly 2,500 feet above the sea, stands the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Its outstretched arms, 92 feet from fingertip to fingertip, form a cross. Because of its great size and its location, it can be seen for many miles by land, sea, and air. Seeing this colossal figure against the sky, one is led to think of the words of Scripture: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Jesus spoke these words in view of the cross. He was looking forward to His death, and His sacrifice on Calvary was indeed the "judgment," or crisis, of this world. At last the whole universe saw the true character of the devil--that "he was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). From that moment to this, the magnetism of the cross has been drawing the hearts of people everywhere. His cross is the center of everything.
The apostle says that "as in Adan all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22).
If we are drawn to religion by anything except Christ and Him crucified, we shall soon be drawn away from it. Music will not draw people to Jesus, eloquence will not draw them, logic will not draw them, ceremony will not draw them, noise will not draw them. Jesus Himself must draw them to Himself. This is the secret of real gospel work. Try preaching the crucified, risen, ascended, and soon-coming Savior. This is the greatest drawing power ever known on earth.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth" (Ps. 57:11).
Dominating the city of Rio de Janeiro and atop Mount Corcovado, rising nearly 2,500 feet above the sea, stands the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Its outstretched arms, 92 feet from fingertip to fingertip, form a cross. Because of its great size and its location, it can be seen for many miles by land, sea, and air. Seeing this colossal figure against the sky, one is led to think of the words of Scripture: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Jesus spoke these words in view of the cross. He was looking forward to His death, and His sacrifice on Calvary was indeed the "judgment," or crisis, of this world. At last the whole universe saw the true character of the devil--that "he was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). From that moment to this, the magnetism of the cross has been drawing the hearts of people everywhere. His cross is the center of everything.
The apostle says that "as in Adan all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22).
If we are drawn to religion by anything except Christ and Him crucified, we shall soon be drawn away from it. Music will not draw people to Jesus, eloquence will not draw them, logic will not draw them, ceremony will not draw them, noise will not draw them. Jesus Himself must draw them to Himself. This is the secret of real gospel work. Try preaching the crucified, risen, ascended, and soon-coming Savior. This is the greatest drawing power ever known on earth.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth" (Ps. 57:11).
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