John 8:28 Clearly ambiguous identity

So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

John 8:28 (NASB)

Jesus says this so matter of fact: Once I’m crucified (lifted up) then you will know I am the Messiah. But did they? In the book of Acts the Jewish rulers continued to resist and fight the church — even after Jesus was “lifted up.”

Word study of “lift up”

The Greek word is hypsóō, which from Strong’s lexicon means to raise high (elevate), exalt. (From the root hýpsos, meaning “height.”)

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon reviews more nuanced meanings:

• To remove from (literally, out of) the earth by crucifixion
• In John 12:32 the Evangelist himself interprets the word to mean the lifting up upon the cross, but a careful comparison of John 8:28 and John 12:32 renders it probable that Jesus spoke of the heavenly exaltation which he was to attain by the crucifixion by using the Aramaic word—the ambiguity of which allowed it to be understood of the crucifixion.
• Metaphorically, it can mean to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity.
• Passive voice; to exalt, to raise to dignity, honor, and happiness.
• Other meanings include: James 4:10, to raise the spirits by the blessings of salvation; 1 Peter 5:6, to exalt oneself (with haughtiness and empty pride); Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, and Luke 18:14, speaking of Jesus that he shall be raised in honor.

What did Jesus mean?

Jesus didn’t say, “When you crucify me…” rather, “when you lift (me) up.” An obvious interpretation is that he is speaking of being lifted up on the cross. Then he immediately pointed to the intentionality of his words, saying he only spoke what the Father gave him. But he didn’t say, “the cross.” He could have meant many things based on how hypsóō is used in the New Testament, none of which would be wrong.

I believe what Jesus said is intentionally ambiguous and rich with meaning. Another thing Jesus didn’t say was that they would believe, respect, adore and embrace him as the Messiah—rather, only that they would know. Knowing and believing are two very different things. I may know that smoking causes lung cancer but won’t stop smoking. Or that buying a lottery ticket gives me a chance to win big, but I never buy one. Knowing something and acting upon it is connected to my will and value system. The demons know who Jesus is, but they are still in opposition to him.

Starting with the cross, it was the means by which all the other “lift ups” could be applied. It is certain that Jesus would be lifted up on the cross, and that forecast feels grim and foreboding. Why dwell on the crucifixion? Yet again I find an incredible irony that in the very lowly thing comes something that staggers the mind. Once the Pharisees and religious leaders had triumphed over Jesus and the Roman process in order to convict an innocent man, I could imagine some post-success internalization. “We just murdered a good man. Yet, if he was the Messiah, he would be very different than what we were expecting. If there is no victory over our political enemies, what value is the Messiah anyway? Besides, the real Messiah would dominate. He would be impossible to kill.” Of course, with this reasoning one could understand their shock when they heard the rumors that Christ had risen.  

Next, it could also mean, “when you lift him up in praise, exaltation, then you will know that I am he.” When honor comes, when you are willing to see him for who he is, then you will actually see and understand. This view is understandable because a man cannot be affected by something he is unwilling to believe. But willingness, followed by action (worship), opens the eyes of the heart.

Finally, it could mean when he was “lifted up” to heaven in Acts 1. This is less likely since Jesus said, “when you lift up…” The Pharisees had nothing to do with his ascension to heaven directly — only indirectly. Yet, even in this there is some truth. As soon as he was gone, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were empowered and emboldened and themselves became a testimony to the religious leaders. Palestine was never the same after Jesus left… and soon, neither was Israel after the “ax laid to the root of the tree,” as John the Baptist said, was successful in its mission.

God knows what He is saying

No one can outsmart the Father. There is none wiser. In the lowest most deplorable act on the earth, the worst of the worst — killing God’s treasure and kicking him to the side of the road; spitting on him, crowning him with thorns in mockery; the very despising of the one who sent His son — comes the very highest of all acts; the redemption of those who were guilty.

Paul speaks about this in his letter to the Corinthians:

But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 NASB

The “lifting up” of Jesus wasn’t about just his death, but rather the release of a new ecosystem, a new covenant, a new way of relating to God—without the intermediary of a man any longer—all based on Jesus’ payment for sin. In this one act, it removed the obstacles for the Holy Spirit to again inhabit the temple of flesh in man. The Holy Spirit cohabiting with believers is a big deal. While Jesus remained, they saw him, heard his teaching and enjoyed his fellowship. But when he was crucified, wind shook the tree and the the many seeds fell into the ground and multiplied. The church was born.

The fruit speaks for itself and continues to speak today.