Seeking Jesus First - April 7, 2026

“I Am from Above”

Please Read John 8:20–28 (NKJV)

Reflection

Jesus continued teaching in the treasury of the Temple, speaking openly about His relationship with the Father. He told them plainly, “I am from above… I am not of this world.” He declared that He does nothing on His own, but only what the Father has taught Him. The religious leaders kept pressing Him, refusing to accept who He claimed to be.

Many today — including those who reject the deity of Christ — make the same argument the Pharisees made. They say Jesus never clearly claimed to be God or the Son of God. Yet Jesus kept giving them the answer: “I am from above,” “The One who sent Me is true,” and “I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.”

Finally, Jesus gave them the ultimate sign: “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.”

The Greek word for “lift up” is hypsoō. It carries a powerful double meaning. Literally, it means to raise someone up on something — like lifting Jesus up on the cross. Figuratively, it means to exalt or glorify. When they crucified Him, they thought they were ending His claims. Instead, God raised Him from the dead and highly exalted Him, giving Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9–11). The very act meant to humiliate Him became the means of His greatest glory and the clearest revelation of who He is.

This is a Kingdom principle: When we exalt Christ — lifting Him up in our lives, our words, our worship, and our obedience — we begin to truly know who He is. The cross was not defeat; it was exaltation. The resurrection and ascension confirmed it. Jesus is from above. He is the Son sent by the Father. He is the great “I Am.”

Application

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to show you any place where you have been slow to exalt Jesus in your daily life. Renew your mind with this truth: When we lift up the Son of Man — through faith, obedience, worship, and testimony — we come to know Him more deeply as the One from above. Choose one practical way today to exalt Christ: speak His name boldly, obey a clear instruction from His Word, worship Him in the middle of a challenge, or share with someone that Jesus is the Son sent from the Father. As you lift Him up, expect fresh revelation of who He really is.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus boldly declared He is from above and that He does only what You taught Him. Thank You for the double meaning of being “lifted up” — the cross that looked like defeat became the place of His greatest exaltation. Forgive us when we have been slow to lift Him up in our lives or when we have listened to voices that diminish who He is. Renew our minds today to see Jesus clearly as the Son of God, the One sent from above. Help us exalt Him in our words, our actions, and our worship. As we lift Him up, let us know Him more deeply and walk in the light of His truth. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.