Image by AlicePopkorn via Flickr
The more and more I learn, the more and more cautious I become of Bible teachers. I now realize that there were a lot of well-to-do, undereducated men in the church that I grew up attending. As I was studying the Scriptures this morning, I ran across another scripture that I was commonly taught to mean that when Jesus' name is glorified or magnified by the mouths of men, then He would draw all men unto Himself.
When I read the scripture, I went back through the chapter to be sure
I was understanding what the Spirit was saying. And the chains fell from my mind. Because now I know that the scripture following it and the what the Spirit of God was saying to me was the actual meaning. John 12:33 says "This he said signifying what death he should die."
John 12:32 speaks not only of Jesus being raised up from the earth and hung on a tree, but also His resurrection from the ground and His ascent into heaven. And truly because He was raised up from the earth and died the death that was determined from the Father He Will Draw All Men Unto Himself. Because He ascended into heaven, He sent His Spirit to continue His work.
Earlier in the chapter Jesus can be seen wrestling in His spirit about dying, but He says at last "Now, is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name."
Jesus will accomplish His will whether men choose to speak of Him or not. The times will go as He decreed, and when He comes this saying will be complete. All men will come to Him and serve Him, because He paid the price for it.
