Lifting Up Jesus
Nothing in Jesus' earthly ministry seemed to trouble Him more than His Crucifixion. And yet it was for "this hour" that he came to live among us. As He Himself indicated, it was only by being "lifted up" that He would draw all men unto Himself.
It is clear by the crowd's response that they understood the kind of death He would die. What the could not understand was how "the Son of Man" could die such a shameful death. How could you have an eternal kingdom with a crucified Christ?