Christ Lifted Up
Charles H. Spurgeon
John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me (John 12:32).
It was an extraordinary occasion upon which the Savior uttered these words. It was the crisis of the world. We very often speak of the "present crisis of affairs," and it is very common for persons of every period to believe their own age to be the crisis and turning point of the whole world's history. They rightly imagine that much of the future depends upon their present exertions; but they wrongly stretch the thought, and imagine that the period of their existence is the very hinge of the history of the world: that it is the crisis. Now, however, it may be correct, in a modified sense, that every period of time is in some sense a crisis, yet there never was a time which could be truly called a crisis, in comparison with the season when our Savior spoke. In the verse immediately preceding my text, we find in the English translation, "Now is the judgment of this world" (v. 31); but we find in the Greek, "Now is the crisis of this world."
The world had come to a solemn crisis: now was the great turning point of all the world's history. Should Christ die, or should He not? If He should refuse the bitter cup of agony, the world is doomed; if He should pass onward, do battle with the powers of death and hell, and come off a victor, then the world is blessed, and her future shall be glorious. Shall He succumb? Then is the world crushed and ruined beneath the trail of the serpent. Shall He conquer? Shall He lead captivity captive, and receive gifts for men? Then this world shall yet see times when there shall be "a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
"Now is the crisis of this world!" "The crisis," He says, "is twofold. Dealing with Satan and men. I will tell you the result of it. 'Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.' Fear not that hell shall conquer. I shall cast him out; and, on the other hand doubt not th ...
Charles H. Spurgeon
John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me (John 12:32).
It was an extraordinary occasion upon which the Savior uttered these words. It was the crisis of the world. We very often speak of the "present crisis of affairs," and it is very common for persons of every period to believe their own age to be the crisis and turning point of the whole world's history. They rightly imagine that much of the future depends upon their present exertions; but they wrongly stretch the thought, and imagine that the period of their existence is the very hinge of the history of the world: that it is the crisis. Now, however, it may be correct, in a modified sense, that every period of time is in some sense a crisis, yet there never was a time which could be truly called a crisis, in comparison with the season when our Savior spoke. In the verse immediately preceding my text, we find in the English translation, "Now is the judgment of this world" (v. 31); but we find in the Greek, "Now is the crisis of this world."
The world had come to a solemn crisis: now was the great turning point of all the world's history. Should Christ die, or should He not? If He should refuse the bitter cup of agony, the world is doomed; if He should pass onward, do battle with the powers of death and hell, and come off a victor, then the world is blessed, and her future shall be glorious. Shall He succumb? Then is the world crushed and ruined beneath the trail of the serpent. Shall He conquer? Shall He lead captivity captive, and receive gifts for men? Then this world shall yet see times when there shall be "a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
"Now is the crisis of this world!" "The crisis," He says, "is twofold. Dealing with Satan and men. I will tell you the result of it. 'Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.' Fear not that hell shall conquer. I shall cast him out; and, on the other hand doubt not th ...
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