Person Versus Program

“As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself." John 12:32

Let me share what is happening nowadays to give you a wider picture, because this mistake is unconsciously done repeatedly over and over again by many leaders. You can readily observed today that many leaders are preaching the program they have been doing but not the person. The program was widely known but little to Jesus.

The missionary organizations which are supposed to be responsible to expand God’s kingdom have almost become like those of the government development program. The end result, they had received plague and the praises go to the leadership not to Jesus. The leaders get all the glory. The attention of the members were stolen by the leaders and the result, members lose their admiration to Jesus. Jesus said, “As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself." John 12:32. Jesus used the word "lifted up," this is related to the word “exaltation” to give a strong emphasis on His glorification. This means when we lift HIM up high, He has the way to achieve to be acknowledged and glorified by men. And so how could the people come to Jesus when He isn’t lifted up?

Why this has been happening? Because many outreach organizations were stucked unconsciously by their humanitarian programs. It has become their main focus not the glorification of the Life-giver-person-Jesus Christ. They get stuck on these developmental, humanitarian and feeding programs. They actively supporting the government program but they don’t have the extensive program to lift up the crucified Savior, so many might see Him. The worse is that they don’t have the disciple-making program to equip the new converts into maturity, that they may be able to participate to lift Jesus up.