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I see Jesus. He is lifted up on the cross. It is not a pleasant thing to see. He is there because of my missing God’s goal for my life.

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” | John 3:14–15 (NASB)

Here are the key ideas:

  1. Exaltation is the lifting or raising on high of a person, in words or actions. The exaltation of Jesus the Messiah, first on the cross and then in his resurrection, provides a model of how God exalts the humble and obedient. God also humbles those who exalt themselves. Believers are called upon to exalt God in our praise of him.
  2. It is possible to submit outwardly and yet not be humbled inwardly. God hates the sin of pride, and He will chasten the proud believer until he is humbled.
    1. We tend to treat missing God’s goal (aka sin) for our lives too lightly, even to laugh about it (“let your laughter be turned into mourning”).
    2. But missing God’s goal (aka sin) is serious, and one mark of true humility is facing the seriousness of sin and dealing with our disobedience.
    3. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:17).
  3. Sometimes we hear a believer pray, “O Master, humble me!” That is a dangerous thing to pray.
    1. Far better that we humble ourselves before God, confess our sins, weep over them, and turn from them.
    2. “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembled at My Word” (Isa. 66:2).
    3. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34:18).
  4. If we obey these instructions, then God will draw near, cleanse us, and forgive us; and the wars will cease!
    1. We will not be at war with God, so we will not be at war with ourselves. This means we will not be at war with others.
    2. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:17).
  5. I must put the government of my life on His shoulders and let Him become the Prince of Peace in my life. When I humble myself, God will exalt me through Jesus.

Here are the scriptures:

  • John 3:14–15 (NASB) — “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
  • John 12:32 — “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
  • John 8:28 —So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.