Lifted Up

As we turn our attention to the events of Easter our focus should rightly be on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

With that in mind the word ‘lifted’ or ‘raised’ is a word that has been on my mind recently. It has come up in conversation and also in the reading of scripture. Let’s look firstly at what Jesus said of Himself.

Jesus said “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

He was implying that when He is lifted on the cross, the place of death He would draw people to Himself in salvation. The cross was the place which one goes to after the scourging and the beatings and being humiliated, the cross is the place where you are nailed and left to breath your last.

We, as Christians, know that this lifting onto the cross was not the end. This lifting or being raised up onto the cross would point to yet another lifting, another raising up. That was indeed the glorious resurrection of our Lord.

The body of Jesus that was lifted up on the cross was seemingly done with. It now had no use, no significance and no future. God however had other ideas. God would raise Him up just as Jesus had predicted. (John 2:19; John 10:18)

So often in life when we go through difficult situations, we think that it is the end. We no longer have any use, any significance any future. God, however, has other ideas.

Let’s turn our attention to John 15:1-2

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit”.

Jesus is talking here of branches that are ‘IN HIM’. These branches that bear no fruit are said to be ‘taken away’ or some versions say ‘cut off’.

The question for me is, why would He take away or cut off the branches that are ‘In Him’ even if they bear no fruit? Surely there are reasons why the branches don’t bear fruit? Surely there are reasons why we don’t bear fruit at different times?

I can think of myself four years ago after our son’s accident. I bore little or no fruit that I could see because I was in a situation that was devastating. How could I bear fruit when I was laid so low? Would it mean that God was going to cut me off or take me away and cast me aside as having no significance, no use and no future? Absolutely not!

So with that in mind let’s go back to John 15. The word for ‘take away’ or ‘cut off’ in Greek is airo. Now here’s the interesting thing, it can also mean to ‘raise up’ or ‘lift up’ rather than take away or cut off.

The picture that Jesus is painting is one of a vineyard. The plants in the vineyard as they grow will become heavy especially as the branches mature. The branches would then fall to the ground and produce either no fruit because of a lack of light or produce fruit that is spoiled and no good to anyone.

What the vinedresser does is he comes along and lifts up the branch and trains it or ties it in so that in the coming seasons it will produce fruit.

That is a wonderful, glorious picture of what God does to us when we are ‘In Him’. He raises us up, He lifts us up so that we can produce fruit.

I was in a low place but God had not finished with me. Jesus was in a low place but God was not finished. You may be in a low place, but God is not finished.

Sometimes we have to go to a low place in order for God to do an amazing work. A work that only He can do. It’s the enemy who wants us to think that we’re done with and that our lives are over. It’s him who wants to cut us off and cast us away. God doesn’t do that when we are ‘In Him’.

God has recently given me an opportunity to serve in His Church. Network article link.

He has raised me up to a place I never thought possible. I still have huge challenges and God still has to raise me up constantly. But that’s a good thing because my reliance is on Him and not myself.

Ultimately, the power that raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us from the dead. That’s the glorious future. But His power, His Spirit also raises us now in whatever situation we find ourselves.

This Easter let’s be reminded that God is a God who raises up. And it’s this resurrection power that is in us. So no matter how low we go, if we are ‘In Him’ He will raise us up in order to produce fruit. His death and His glorious resurrection is still bearing fruit to this day.

Prayer: Dear Lord,

Praise Your holy name that You are a God who raises up. You are a God who lifts us up out of the ashes. You are a life giver and a God who never gives up on us. Breath new life into each one of us especially those who feel beaten up, forsaken and without hope and lift them up. Amen