NOTES for Joh 12:32
"And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself." Strange words. John then explains that the issue is Jesus' death, not the Ascension. The word "draw" can be understood in very different ways, and both meanings are probably important. It can be understood as an expression of love. The Cross is the ultimate expression of God's love; God loves us to death, even death on a cross. With these words Jesus as it were says to us: I will draw you to Myself by My love, embrace you, take you by the hand, and bring you to the Father. On the other hand, until the Second Coming of Christ, while time has not ended and we live on this earth and sin, there is no other way for us; we too must pass through the cross. Christ redeemed us, and after the Cross there will be Resurrection. But the path to resurrection and eternal life lies through Golgotha, on which we will never be alone; Jesus will be beside us.