Lifting up Jesus means to celebrate him or to give him thanks. We lift or celebrate upon a successful encounter or feat. It is an appreciation for good works which are worthy of remembrance. In Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24 quoted in 1 Corinthians 11:25 Jesus said for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins, do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Jesus wants us to celebrate his good deeds of redemption or salvation for us.
We also show appreciation when someone does a favour to us. Appreciation must be shown irrespective of the value we place. Appreciation comes from a good conscience and a pure heart. Jesus said in Luke 17:17 did I not heal ten of you, where are the nine? We must lift up Jesus or celebrate him if we have ever been beneficiaries of his love, grace, mercy, peace, or in any other way or measure.
Biblical examples
Lifting up Jesus or celebrating him pleases God. The story of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 makes sound illustration of the need to show an appreciation. Jesus himself gave thanks to God for the seven loaves and the fish, Matthew 15:36; Mark 8:6; John 6:11. When he took the cup of wine he gave thanks, Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17, 19. Do we show appreciation in all things however small?
We also give thanks for the success of others. 2 Corinthians 1:11 says that you also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers. Ephesians 1:16 says that I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:2 we give thanks to God always for you all for your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ deserves to be lifted up every moment of our lives for many reasons as the stars in the sky.
Divine instructions
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says that give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. In lifting or celebrating Jesus, we give thanks for his victory over Satan and sin on the cross. This must be our unfailing daily focus. Psalms 118:1, 29 say that O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13 say that we are bound to give thanks to God always for you. Giving thanks is not negotiable or optional but binding according to Paul. Hebrews 12:28-29 says therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire.
Divine instructions are binding and must be obeyed and not subject to fallible human wisdom. We must lift up Jesus because he knows every situation of ours and will sustain us by his sufficient grace. He does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. Every situation he allows is to test our faith in him. He withholds nothing good from us.
Jesus’ work on the cross
We must lift up Jesus for his work of salvation on the cross. He sacrificed his heavenly throne to be clothed in human form; he bore our shame; he was wounded and crucified for our transgression. He overcame or conquered Satan. He sits at the right hand of God. He continually intercedes for us. He has given us unrestricted access to God. In John 19:30 when Jesus said on the cross, it is finished he meant he had fought a good fight, won the battle and finished the race of redemption with distinction. He deserves to be lifted up for where would we be but for his redemption and saving grace?
Colossians 2:15 says he disarmed the principalities and powers and made public examples of them, triumphing over them in him. Jesus has rendered Satan powerless over our souls and the benefits are ours if we lift him with righteousness. We owe him thanks and we must celebrate him.
Offer of free gift of life
There is no guarantee that we would be alive or healthy the next moment except by grace. Acts 17:28 says that for in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your poets have said, for we are indeed his offspring. In Romans 6:23 God has given us Jesus as the free gift of God as eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. If we were to be judged by the law, none of us would pass so Jesus is our eternal mediator and unfailing intercessor.
We have no power to earn life or the goodness of life. We only have borrowed lives and God may take them back anytime. Only Jesus can plead on our behalf. We must lift up Jesus once we have life and breath. 2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalms 100:5 say that for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. We have every justification to lift up Jesus. We deny Jesus because we are ignorant of things of the spirit. We must lift up Jesus for he is deserving of our praise and honour.
Prayer
Our heavenly Father, we have come to the truth that we as we honour Jesus, we also honour you. We are bound to give thanks as a divine duty. Lead us to honour Jesus in righteousness. Let us sing that the Lord is good and has been gracious upon us. Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!!
