02.61. A Conditional Promise Fulfilled

61. A CONDITIONAL PROMISE FULFILLED.

"I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).

Here Jesus predicates universal salvation on his crucifixion. "If I am crucified," he says, "I will ultimately attract all men unto myself." For he said this (verse 33) to signify the mode of his death. The conditions have been complied with; he has been crucified. We must believe in the result announced, or we deny the declaration of Jesus himself.