If I be lifted up . . . .

While walking and praying yesterday morning, I reflected on the powerful words of Jesus in John 12:32:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Really, it's so simple--the only thing we need to do to reach others with the gospel is to lift up Jesus.  Unfortunately, today many churches believe it takes entertainment (song, dance, drama, video) on a grand scale to attract people.  At their core there's nothing wrong with song, dance, drama and/or video as a means of reaching the unchurched.  However, if these and other "modern" methods are to be successful in reaching the lost with the gospel, it is essential that they "lift up Jesus" and not anything else.  

If there's any other focus--even good ones like growing the church, raising money for good causes, strengthening families--then they fall short of sharing the truth and the lost may miss the opportunity to be "drawn" to the Savior.

Someone shared the link to this song on Facebook and I share it here because the words "lift up Jesus."  Listen and enjoy it here.