Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32)
It is only a coincidence that our Lord was crucified on a hill. His death would have been just as effective if He had died in a valley. But his death on a hilltop is a very animated coincidence—and His death by crucifixion was no coincidence at all.
We Feel the Pull of the Cross. We are familiar with personal magnetism. There are those whom people are naturally drawn. There is a force in their personalities, but that is not what Jesus is talking about. We are familiar with the magnetism of influence.
People are drawn to power figures: political leaders, business leaders, physicians, preachers. That is not what Jesus is talking about. Jesus is talking about a spiritual magnetism that we experience every time we encounter the cross, whether in song, or sermon, picture, or thought.
Conversion occurs when people are drawn to Christ. It is not accomplished by driving people to Christ. It is not accomplished by luring people to Christ. It is only accomplished when they are led to Christ by their admiration of His character and unconditional love.
Ia manuia,
failauga p. anoa'i
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