Lifted Up
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HOLY IN SPIRIT
John 12:32–33 - “As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.
John 12:24 - “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
Slow Read (The Three Liftings)
Read John 12:32–33 three times, slowly.
• First reading: Notice what “lifted up” meant—death.
• Second reading: Remember the fuller picture—cross, grave, and ascension.
• Third reading: Sit with this phrase: “I will draw all people to Myself.”
Remain silent for one full minute. Let the gravity of the cross settle.
Spiritual Insight
Jesus was lifted up in three ways: lifted up on the cross and God was glorified, lifted up from the grave and God was glorified, lifted up into heaven and God was glorified. His yielding produced fruit. Because He fell like a seed, forgiveness was made possible, the Spirit was given, and fruit began to grow in believers. You and I are not lifted up like Jesus was, but we are called to lift up our own lives. As we read in v26 a call to follow and serve to be honored (lifted up in God’s sight). Jesus died to produce forgiveness; His sacrifice allows us to be a vessel that is ready to receive the Spirit. Without the forgiveness of and payment for sins on the cross we aren’t able to receive the Spirit that produces fruit. Tie it back to the assurance statement—seed falls, dies, planted—produces fruit. Jesus’ willingness to “fall and die” produced much fruit through the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers. The Spirit of God cannot be planted in hearts and minds that are unyielding to the will of God. The first thing Jesus did was yield to God’s will. Jesus yielded to God’s will, sacrificed His life, was raised back to life and as He is lifted up on the cross, from the grave and into heaven, we are all given the opportunity to receive the Spirit.
Heart Questions
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Reflection |
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What seed do you need to plant in the soil of God’s grace and forgiveness?
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What part of my life needs to be lifted up to God instead of protected?
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Do I believe that surrender leads to fruit—or do I still fear loss?
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Prayer
Jesus, You were lifted up for my forgiveness, my redemption, my resurrection. Because You yielded, I can yield. Because You died, I can live. Today I lift up my pride, my fear, my control, my unmet expectations. Plant them in the soil of Your grace. Break what needs breaking. Grow what brings You glory. May my yielding produce fruit for the benefit of others and the honor of the Father. Amen.
WHOLE IN MIND — Name the Fruit
Take 2–3 minutes and ask:
“If I truly yielded this area to God, what fruit might grow?”
Transformation begins with imagination surrendered to hope.
HEALTHY IN BODY — The Living Sacrifice
This week you identified habits. You interrupted control. You practiced sacrifice. You reset a rhythm. Today is about commitment.
Ask yourself:
“What physical area of my life most consistently competes with surrender?”
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Consider: |
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Busyness |
Overcommitment |
Control |
Lack of rest |
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Comfort |
Distraction |
Exhaustion |
Lack of discipline |
Choose one area that needs ongoing yielding—not just a one-day adjustment.
Now make a simple, sustainable commitment:
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Commitment Ideas |
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A weekly Sabbath hour |
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A tech-free prayer block each day |
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A consistent sleep boundary |
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A weekly fast from media |
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A set time for physical movement and stewardship |
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A weekly act of hidden service |
Write it down. ____________________________________________________________
Then say: “My body belongs to You. My time belongs to You. My strength belongs to You.”
Yielding is not dramatic. It is daily. The seed does not die once. It breaks open over time. Let your physical life reflect your spiritual surrender.
Closing Reflection
The seed must fall. The Son was lifted up. The Spirit produces fruit. Yielding is not weakness. It is the pathway to glory.