The cross on which Jesus Christ was lifted-up and crucified, also is the basis for His exaltation in glory. The Gospel of John points to the cross as the time Jesus would be lifted up — and that at that hour, at the cross, Jesus would also be glorified.

• John 3:14-15, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
• John 8:28, So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
• John 12:23, And Jesus answered them, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
• John 13:31, When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him….

Dr Tom Schreiner rightly concludes:  “The positive terms used for Jesus’ death indicate that it is the pathway to his exaltation and glorification. Jesus is exalted not despite the cross but precisely because of it.” [New Testament Theology, Magnifying God in Christ; Baker 2008; 227]

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