John 8:28-29 Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself… Christ's language here — I. REVEALS HIS SUBLIME HEROISM IN THE PROSPECT OF A TERRIBLE DEATH. "When ye have lifted up," an expression more than once used to signify His crucifixion. This was — 1. The culmination of human wickedness. This could reach no higher point than the putting to death of the Son of God. 2. The culmination of human suffering. Crucifixion involved ignominy, insult, torture. Yet how calmly Christ speaks about it — "He endured the Cross and despised the shame." There was no faltering note, no complaint, no perturbation, dismay. II. EXPRESSES HIS UNSHAKEN FAITH IN THE TRIUMPH OF HIS CAUSE. "Then shall ye know," etc. 1. He was not discouraged by apparent failure. To the world His life ending in crucifixion would appear a stupendous failure: to Him it was a success. His death was as a seed falling into the earth. 2. He did not despair of man's improvability. He believed that there would come a reaction in men's minds concerning Him. When He was gone they would begin to think, recognize, and give Him credit for excellency, which they did not when He was amongst them. 3. He was not doubtful of ultimate success. He saw the day of Pentecost, the result of apostolic labours, the triumph of His truth through all successive ages, and at last His character moulding the race to His own ideal. III. IMPLIES A PRINCIPLE OF CONDUCT COMMON IN ALL HISTORY: viz., that good men undervalued in life are appreciated when gone. We see this principle — 1. In the family. Members may live together for years, and through infirmity of temper, clashing of tastes, collision of opinion, etc., excellencies may be entirely overlooked. One dies — father, mother, brother, sister — and then attributes of goodness come up in the memory that never appeared before. 2. In the State. Public men, devoted to the common good, and loyal to conscience, clash with popular opinions and prejudices and are bitterly denounced. They die, and their virtues emerge, and fill the social atmosphere with fragrance. Burke, Hume, and Cobden are examples of this. 3. In the Church. A minister labours for years among a people — too thoughtful to be appreciated by the thoughtless, too honest to bow to current prejudices — so that his work passes unacknowledged and unrequited. He dies, and has a moral epiphany. It was so with Arnold and Robertson. IV. INDICATES A CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS PECULIAR RELATION TO THE ETERNAL FATHER. "As my Father hath taught me," etc. (ver. 29). 1. He was the Pupil of the Father. 2. He was the Companion of the Father. 3. He was the servant of the Father. "I do always those things that please Him," though I displease you.Conclusion: 1. This subject reveals the sublime uniqueness of Christ. Who, amongst all the millions of men that have appeared, could use such language as this? Who could forecast such a terrible future with such accuracy and composure? Who could proclaim such a Divine relationship? As our system has but one sun, our universe has but one Christ. 2. This subject suggests the Christ verifying force of human history. What Christ here predicts history has established. Through His crucifixion ever increasing multitudes have been convinced that He is the true Messiah. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. |
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