12:32
Jesus’ being “lifted up” has two meanings, and both are important. One is that He is lifted up on the cross, and the other is that He is lifted up to glory. Both are essential, and one without the other means that Jesus would not draw people to Himself. If Jesus had never died on the cross, as well as the problem of our sin still remaining (not a minor matter!) He would not have the place in public consciousness that He does have. If He had died and not been raised, then (again for the time being ignoring the implications outlined in 1 Cor 15!) the gospel would not have got off the ground.
12:33
This verse makes it clear that being lifted up definitely does refer to the cross. But without the resurrection and the ascension the cross might be a glorious sacrifice, but would ultimately have achieved little. Instead, it has achieved everything.
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