“The Prophecy of the Crucified Christ: A Foretelling of Redemption”

“The Prophecy of the Crucified Christ: A Foretelling of Redemption”

by Neil McBride

The prophecy of Christ being lifted on the cross intertwines deeply with the tapestry of Scripture, revealing a profound and cohesive narrative that spans both the Old and New Testaments. It’s not just a historical event but a divine plan intricately woven through various symbols, prophecies, and foreshadowings, showcasing judgment and mercy. These early Old Testament images and words point forward to a time when God’s ultimate sacrifice would be made for the redemption of all humanity. Being “lifted” is much more than physical elevation; it represents the process of divine revelation, judgment, and ultimate salvation for the world.

The Serpent in the Wilderness: Numbers 21:4-9

One of the most striking prefigurations of Christ’s crucifixion is found in the book of Numbers. The Israelites, still wandering in the wilderness and suffering the consequences of their rebellious actions, are suddenly beset by venomous snakes. As these snakes ravage the people, they cry out to God, and in His mercy, God commands Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it high on a pole. Looking at this serpent becomes the means of healing and salvation.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.”

Numbers 21:8, KJV

Though initially about physical healing, this moment points powerfully to Christ’s crucifixion. Later, in John 3:14-15, Jesus directly compares His future lifting on the cross with the serpent in the wilderness. Just as the Israelites were saved from physical death by gazing upon the serpent on the pole, so too would people be saved from spiritual death by looking to Christ, the Lamb of God, who would be lifted on the cross.

“And as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:14-15, KJV

In this act of being “lifted,” Christ bore the sin of the world on the cross, much like the bronze serpent symbolised the judgment for sin. Though this act symbolised judgment, it was simultaneously an act of mercy, offering healing to all who would look upon Him in faith.

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53

The Suffering Servant prophecy in Isaiah 53 offers a stark and vivid picture of the Messiah who would endure humiliation, suffering, and rejection. The figure described here does not triumph by worldly standards, but one who bears the weight of human sin and is exalted in His suffering. While Isaiah does not directly mention being “lifted,” the theme of suffering leading to redemption is clear. This prophecy would be fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

Isaiah 53:3, KJV

The New Testament directly connects Christ’s crucifixion and the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. In John 12:32-33, Jesus Himself speaks of His impending death on the cross, using the term “lifted” to describe what will happen to Him:

“And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”

John 12:32-33, KJV

The lifting of Jesus on the cross is a direct fulfilment of the prophecy that the Messiah would suffer on behalf of humanity, enduring rejection, pain, and sorrow, ultimately leading to salvation. This self-sacrifice becomes how healing and forgiveness are extended to those who will place their faith in Him.

The Prophecy of the Son of Man Lifted: Daniel 7:13-14

The book of Daniel offers a vision that, while not directly mentioning Christ’s crucifixion, reveals a profound understanding of Christ’s authority and dominion, which would be inaugurated after His death and resurrection. In Daniel 7:13-14, the Son of Man is brought before the Ancient of Days and given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never pass away. This is a foreshadowing of Christ’s heavenly reign:

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”

Daniel 7:13, KJV

Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man and explicitly linked His earthly mission to His heavenly authority. His ascension into heaven after His resurrection fulfils this vision, marking the final triumph over sin and death. But before this exaltation could occur, Christ had to endure the humiliation of the cross, a reality that connects His lifting on the cross to His eventual lifting to glory.

Christ’s Prefigured Lifting in the Psalms

The Psalms contain numerous messianic prophecies that point toward Christ’s suffering and lifting up. In particular, Psalm 22 offers a haunting and precise foreshadowing of Christ’s passion. The psalmist’s anguished cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” is a direct echo of Christ’s words from the cross in Matthew 27:46. This psalm, filled with vivid imagery, paints a picture of a rejected and mocked figure, who will ultimately triumph:

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, despised of the people.”

Psalm 22:6, KJV

The imagery in Psalm 22 captures the mockery, rejection, and humiliation Jesus experienced during His crucifixion. The psalm even describes the piercing of His hands and feet, a detail strikingly fulfilled in the New Testament, when Jesus was nailed to the cross. This psalm becomes a powerful prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering and the ultimate victory that would follow, pointing to the resurrection and glorification of Christ after He was lifted on the cross.

The Pierced One in Zechariah 12:10

In Zechariah 12:10, the prophet speaks of a time when the people of Israel will look upon the one they have pierced and mourn. Though the passage doesn’t mention being “lifted,” it unmistakably foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion, where He was pierced by the Roman soldiers while being lifted on the cross:

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

Zechariah 12:10, KJV

This powerful prophecy aligns with the moment of Christ’s crucifixion, when the people of Israel and humanity at large are invited to look upon the pierced Christ and recognise the sacrifice He made for the forgiveness of sins.

Conclusion: Christ Lifted in the Old Testament and Fulfilled in the New

The prophecy of Christ being lifted on the cross is one of the most profound themes in Scripture. It is intricately woven throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. From the bronze serpent in the wilderness to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, and from the vision of Daniel to the lament of Psalm 22, the concept of Christ being lifted up points to both His suffering and His glory.

The lifting up on the cross was not the end but the beginning of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the grave. His sacrifice draws all men to Himself, offering healing, forgiveness, and eternal life. Thus, every aspect of His lifting up—from the Old Testament prophecies to the New Testament fulfilment—speaks to the divine love and justice that found its ultimate expression on the cross, where the Saviour was lifted to bear the world’s sins.

“The Prophecy of the Crucified Christ: A Foretelling of Redemption”

DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)