LIFT UP THE SON OF MAN
The Prophetic Action of Moses
In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to lift a bronze serpent on a pole to save the Israelites bitten by venomous snakes. Those who looked upon the bronze serpent were healed (Num 21:9). This act was a foreshadowing of the salvation to come through Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites were saved by looking at the bronze serpent, humanity is saved by looking upon Jesus, lifted up on the cross, with faith.
Jesus Foretells His Crucifixion
Jesus explicitly connected His crucifixion to the lifting of the bronze serpent in His conversation with Nicodemus. He said, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (Jn 3:14-15). This statement underscores the necessity of His crucifixion for the salvation of mankind. By being lifted up on the cross, Jesus offers eternal life to all who believe in Him.
The Dual Meaning of “Lifted Up”
The Greek word for “lifted” (hypsothenai) carries a dual meaning: it signifies both physical elevation and exaltation. In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ lifting up on the cross is also seen as the beginning of His glorification. This glorification includes His resurrection, ascension, and His enthronement at the right hand of God. Thus, the crucifixion is not just a moment of suffering but also the commencement of Jesus’ ultimate victory and exaltation (Jn 12:32-33).
The Spiritual Blindness of Jesus’ Opponents
Jesus predicted that His crucifixion would be carried out by those who did not recognize Him as the Son of God. Paul reflects on this in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, stating that if the rulers of the age had understood God’s wisdom, they would not have crucified the “Lord of glory.” This highlights the spiritual blindness of Jesus’ adversaries and their failure to recognize His divine identity.
The Impact of Jesus’ Crucifixion
The crucifixion had an immediate and profound impact. The centurion and soldiers who witnessed the events surrounding Jesus’ death were struck with fear and proclaimed, “Truly, this man was the Son of God” (Mt 27:54). The crowd that gathered for the crucifixion left in a state of deep reflection and repentance (Lk 23:48). Following Jesus’ resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, thousands were converted and baptized, acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 6:7).
The Exaltation of the Cross
The Catholic Church venerates the cross not only as a symbol of Jesus’ suffering but also as a sign of His victory over sin and death. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross commemorates both the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena and the dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher. This feast reminds Christians of the profound significance of the cross in the history of salvation and the Church’s teaching that Christ’s sacrifice is the source of eternal salvation (CCC 617).
REFLECTION
As Christians, the lifting up of Jesus on the cross calls us to a deeper faith and commitment. We are reminded that through His crucifixion, Jesus draws all people to Himself, offering forgiveness, healing, and eternal life. The cross is a powerful symbol of God’s love and mercy, and it challenges us to take up our own crosses and follow Him (Mt 16:24).
In our daily lives, we are called to look to Jesus for strength, guidance, and salvation. When faced with trials, temptations, and suffering, we can find hope and solace in the crucified Christ. By embracing the cross, we participate in the mystery of Christ’s redemptive work and are drawn into a deeper relationship with Him.
Let us, therefore, lift up the Son of Man in our hearts and lives, proclaiming His love and sacrifice to the world. In doing so, we fulfill our mission as Christians, bearing witness to the transformative power of the cross and the promise of eternal life in Christ.