“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
(John 12:32)
In physics, the term gravity is used to describe the interaction that occurs between all things with mass or energy, which causes them to be mutually attracted to one another. Though we have observed this attraction occurring with precise and unwavering regularity, there is no consensus on what exactly causes gravitational attraction, and, from a philosophical perspective, what our rational foundation could possibly be for expecting gravity to continue to operate as it has. Scientists and philosophers can probe and ponder these things as long as they like but they will never come close to answering these questions so long as they choose to ignore God. God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) and He did so through the creative agency of His dear Son (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-3). The world is therefore not a meaningless chaos but an ordered creation. There is a reason for things. “All things were made by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16b). “Thou art worthy, O Lord,” cry the creatures in heaven, “to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). Christ is the ultimate cause of gravity; “in Him all things consist [are held together]” declared the apostle Paul (Colossians 1:17b). Furthermore, we have His word that natural processes, which must certainly include gravitational attraction, will continue to hold with law-like regularity (Genesis 8:22; Matthew 16:2-3; Luke 12:54-56). The Creator’s self-authenticating word on the matter is our rational justification for believing that gravity will continue to hold in the future. God is not only behind gravitational attraction in the physical world, He is behind other kinds of attraction as well. Because human beings were created in God’s image and likeness, we often find ourselves drawn to the things that He determines to be lovely and valuable. Little children are a good example. For the vast majority of people, the coos of an infant or the laughter of a toddler at play have an irresistible drawing power. The delight we take in holding a baby or playing with a toddler must certainly be a reflection of the great heart of God towards His tiny image-bearers (Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; 18:15-17). “It is not good that the man should be alone” the Lord declared concerning the first man (Genesis 2:18). The Lord fashioned a bride for him, a counterpart and companion comparable to himself (Genesis 2:21-24). To God, this was integral to a “very good” world (Genesis 1:31). Despite Satan’s best efforts, pure and undefiled attraction between men and women still persists, a blessed reminder of how the world ought to be. Today’s verse speaks of another attractive force, namely, God’s power drawing people to Christ. Though some choose to draw back (Hebrews 10:39), the universal nature of this draw is a reminder of God’s love and provision for all His fallen image bearers.
May God bless and encourage you today, dear saints,
pastor john
English