Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).
The word “draw” is a future, active, indicative verb meaning to “attract powerfully; conceived of as drawing a heavy object out of something with great effort.” Jesus, as He was “lifted up from the earth” (a clear reference to His crucifixion) would attract all the inhabitants of the world to take notice.
In 1913, George Bernard wrote the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” Considering some of the phrases within the hymn, we get a detailed picture of the cross “drawing people” in an effective way. The old rugged cross was an “emblem of suffering and shame” (Stanza One) and while it was “despised by the world,” it has a “wondrous attraction for me” (Stanza Two). The old rugged cross was “stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see” for Jesus suffered and died to “pardon and sanctify me” (Stanza Three).
What is it about the cross of Christ that “draws” people today? Why should you and I be drawn to the One Who was lifted up?
The Connection Between the Cross and the Gospel.
This writer would like to share a powerful quote in reference to our question and then provide a few points of application. Consider these words written by Tom Wacaster (one of this writer’s instructors at the Memphis School of Preaching):
“What is it about the cross of Christ that draws men to Jesus? Surely it is not the fact that it was some instrument of death, for other means of execution remain to this day as symbols of only infamy and disgrace. Who has ever written a song about the electric chair, or what poet has ever glorified the gas chamber or the hangman’s noose?
But let men erect a cross in their yard, or display it upon a billboard, and immediately the attention of those who see that cross is drawn to that one figure in history Who made that cruel instrument famous, yea glorious. Let someone display an electric chair in the front of their yard and the onlooker might wonder why such a display, but his attention would not be drawn to any particular figure in history.
On the other hand, let a man put a cross in his yard and immediately those who pass by think of Christ and Christianity.
Even as I write these lines the ACLU is seeking to remove a war memorial in the state of California for no other reason than the fact that it is in the shape of a cross.
From the fields of Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Washington, D.C., to the beaches of Normandy, and around the world, grave yards have been graced with small crosses at the head of each tomb declaring the hope that men have in a resurrection - a resurrection found only in Christ, and made possible because of His death upon the cross and His resurrection three days later.
Oh yes, “On a hill far away, Stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame!”
For 2,000 plus years the cross of Christ has cast its beacon of hope across the tumultuous seas of human misery and sin, and the message of the gospel is so closely associated with that cross that to speak of the one is to bring to mind the other” (Tom Wacaster, The Magnificence of Jesus, Volume 2, pg. 86, pdf).
The Cross of Jesus Demands a Response.
It is the cross of Christ that demands a response. The “Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) came to give His life a “ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
While crucifixion was one of the most evil, hateful, and violent forms of execution, Jesus made it an emblem of glory! By His death on the cross, He fulfilled prophecy, accomplished His mission, glorified His Father, and paid the ultimate price for the debt of sin though He Himself was “holy, perfect, harmless, and separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26).
Our responsibility today is to “take up our cross” and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23) remembering the impact of what He did for us:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me…But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 2:20; 6:14).
The Cross of Jesus and You.
I close with another quote written hundreds of years ago but still rings true today. As you read, ask yourself: Am I truly drawn by the cross? Is it enough to motivate me to live for the One Who died on it for me?
“We venerate the cross as a safeguard of faith, as the strengthening of hope and the throne of love. It is the sign of mercy, the proof of forgiveness, the vehicle of grace and the banner of peace.
We venerate the cross, because it has broken down our pride, shattered our envy, redeemed our sin and atoned for our punishment.
The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, the price for our freedom.
The cross was the hope of the patriarchs, the promise of the prophets, the triumph of kings and the ministry of priests. Tyrants are convicted by the cross and the mighty ones defeated, it lifts up the miserable and honors the poor.
The cross is the end of darkness, the spreading of light, the flight of death, the ship of life and the kingdom of salvation” (Abbot Rupert)
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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