“So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.” – John 8:25-30
Jesus’ words tell us over and over that the Father sent the Son down from heaven to be lifted up on the cross to forgive sinners. Jesus’ works confirm His words. Sinners lifted Him up on the cross, the Spirit lifted Him up from the grave, and the Father lifted Him up to Heaven.
Why did Jesus come and die by being “lifted up” on the cross? He died so that we could be forgiven of our sins. This allows us to escape the five false ways that sinners deal with their sin.
One, we do not have to deny wrongdoing. In context, Jesus is talking about Himself as the light of the world and invites us to live in the light being honest with ourselves, others, and God.
Two, we do not have to blameshift wrongdoing by transferring the responsibility from ourselves to someone (parents, spouse, friend) or someone else (genetics, culture, personality).
Three, we do not have to excuse our wrongdoing on such things as circumstances that we hope make us look less guilty than we are.
Four, we do not have to embrace wrongdoing and make it our identity to celebrate.
Five, we do not have to punish ourselves for our wrongdoing seeking to atone and make amends for our sins by our suffering.
Jesus comes to die for our sins so that we do not have to die in our sins. He invites us into the light of the truth where we can have our sin forgiven by Him. Knowing this, we read that “many believed in Him.”
How about you? Have you trusted in Him and had the burden of your sin and shame forgiven and lifted forever?