If I Be Lifted Up

And Jesus began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and dug a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. (Mark 12)

Again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. Again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having one son, his beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, they will reverence my son. But these husbandmen said among themselves, this is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. (Mark 12)

What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen: the murderers, the corrupt law enforcement entities, the undercover, the badge-wearing, the plain clothes and uniformed--their neighbors, their families, their friends; the church-going, bible-toting, tongue talking and holy dancing believers; those who torture and harass others with mind invasive, thought manipulation technology; those who profess godliness but deny the power thereof; those who join together in a nefarious, deceptive and criminal activity for the purpose of destroying individuals, families, and whole communities--and will give the vineyard to others whose lives were secretly and deceptively destroyed, cast down, kicked to the curb, thrown under the bus, and pushed to the fringe of society. God said, "vengeance is Mine." "I will repay" (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19) ..."and so shall the Word that proceedeth out of my mouth", "it shall not return unto me void." "It shall accomplish that which I sent it forth to do." (Isaiah 55:11).

Have you not read the scripture; the stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Mark 12; Psalm 118; Isaiah 5) Jesus said if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me. (John 12:29-33)

Jesus used the murderers who secretly and openly sought to destroy Him to lift Him up on the cross. Through this very act alone, victory was accomplished for the born again believer. This same death should take place in the lives of those who are born again as you bear the cross daily, 24/7/365. You are no longer you. You died that Christ may live in you. You have been raised from the dead. Death is swallowed up in victory!

Jesus said no man took my life. I laid my life down for my sheep. I laid my life down and I will take it back up again. (John 10:18) Oh death where is thy sting? Grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) You cannot come to Christ unless He calls you. (John 6:44) The born again believer does not come to Christ unless they are called--chosen--the elect of God. (John 15:16; 1 Peter 1:2-25; Colossians 3:12)

Walk in your victory today. Walk in your victory that was accomplished on Calvary--not when Jesus rose from the dead, but when He was lifted up by those who sought to destroy His life.

We serve an awesome God! He took the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. (1 Corinthians 1:27) We praise You Jesus! We magnify Your holy righteous name! Hallelujah and glory to your precious, holy name!

And they sought to lay hold on Jesus, but feared the people: for they knew that Jesus had spoken the parable against them: and they left Him, and went their way. Albeit, some continued to walk in darkness. (John 12:35)