Christ must be lifted up because His crucifixion is the means by which God remains just while justifying sinners.
The necessity of Christ being lifted up on the cross is foundational to sovereign grace theology. It fulfills the righteous requirement of the law by allowing God to execute justice while offering mercy. In Numbers 21:8-9, the lifting of the serpent symbolizes sin being judged, pointing to Christ, who became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Hebrews 2:17 further underscores this by proclaiming that Christ had to become like us to serve as a merciful and faithful high priest. His crucifixion was a must so that through faith in Him, believers could be declared righteous before God. Thus, when Christ is lifted up, He draws all men unto Himself, fulfilling the redemptive plan established by God.
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