John 8:28

Jesus continues to explain. “When you raise up the Son of Man, only then will you be convinced of who I Am. You will finally know I do not do anything of my own volition, rather I speak only the things my Father teaches me.” John 8:28 EFP 

Let me begin by pointing out the obvious—Jesus does not give up easily. Here he has been working with these people persistently, through word and action, and they still fail to grasp what he is trying to say. John has just finished stating that in the end the people still don’t get it. Yet here Jesus once again provides more thoughts for them to consider.

I can’t overlook the allusion to his death on the cross that looms in his future. Earlier Jesus had brought up the concept of the Son of Man being lifted up during his conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:14). In John 12:32 he makes reference to the same concept of being lifted up, with a direct reference to his death on a cross. I understand Jesus saying, “When you see me hanging on the cross on which you condemned me to die, perhaps then you will be convinced I say and do the will of my Father.” The cross is the ultimate symbol of surrender and self-sacrifice. Although Jesus knows he will be raised up, he still has to face and endure unimaginable suffering and pain as his life ebbs away, slowly slipping into the unknown pit of death, alone and alienated from His Father. He did that for me. He surrendered for me. He died for me. Is it too much to ask that I be willing to surrender, suffer, and even die for him?