A holy paradox
The Cross as a Throne
How this is true
The Romans meant crucifixion to be the end of Jesus and His movement, a public humiliation. But John tells the story as a coronation. Jesus is lifted up, given a crown of thorns and a mocking title, King of the Jews, which turns out to be true. He said, when I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me. What looked like the worst thing that ever happened was, in fact, the throne from which He conquered sin and death by love.
The Scripture behind it
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”John 12:32
“And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”John 19:19
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”Colossians 2:15
Why it changes everything
It means God's victories often look nothing like the world's. The place of your deepest defeat and shame is not beyond His reach; it may be exactly where He is working His greatest good. And it means the King you are invited to follow won His crown not by crushing His enemies but by dying for them. The love that would go that far is the love that now reigns, and it is reaching for you from a cross that turned out to be a throne.
Questions people ask
How is the cross a throne?
John's Gospel presents Jesus' crucifixion as His being lifted up and glorified (John 12:32). What Rome meant as ultimate defeat and shame became the place Jesus reigned, conquering sin and death by love, with the mocking title King of the Jews turning out to be true.
What does lifted up mean in John's Gospel?
It refers to Jesus being lifted up on the cross, which John portrays as His glorification and enthronement. The crucifixion, apparent total defeat, is where Jesus draws all people to Himself and triumphs over evil (Colossians 2:15).