All
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself (John 12:32).
Read John 12:20–36
When I was a school chaplain many years ago, on one test I gave the Year 9s, I asked the question: For whom did Jesus die? One girl answered: Those who believe. Hey, it was a pretty unsophisticated test! I marked it incorrect. She showed her father, who was a pastor, and he (and so she) challenged me on marking her response as incorrect. For him and her, the answer she gave was correct.
What would you say? In this reading, Jesus says a whole lot of obscure things, some seemingly disconnected from the others. But he says in verse 32 that when he is lifted up from the earth, he will draw all people to himself. This included the Greeks and the non-Jews, who came looking for Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 5:15, it tells us that Christ died for all. That means you, that family member you pray for because they seem to have wandered off the path, your neighbour whom you regularly hear yelling at his wife and children, and that political leader you just can’t stomach, the Muslim person who makes you nervous just by their dress, and that person who never misses a Sunday of worship. All.
Reflecting on this changes my attitude a bit. I have to make it a habit to see the other person as someone Christ died for – even the one who steals my park at the last moment! I actually do that. Instead of cursing under my breath, I tell myself this is someone Christ loved enough to die for.
I can hear you saying ‘yes, but’, and I know there’s more to the story, but just for a moment, I’d like to let it stand as it is: Christ died for all and drew all to himself. Jesus didn’t say ‘some’, and he didn’t say ‘if you’ll have me’; he just said ‘all’.
This Holy Week, see Jesus not just as your Saviour but the world’s. After all, the well-known verse says, ‘For God so loved the world …’ (John 3:16).
Jesus, I see your arms outstretched enough to reach me, not just me, but all people and all creation. Thank you. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Ruth, on the north side of Brisbane. He is a proud and not very humble Brisbane Lions supporter. Jim likes to read, listen to music and play golf. He and Ruth love being with their young grandchildren and watching them grow. For Jim, grace is everything, and he will share that however and whenever possible.
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