The people of God are called to be a special people. They are described as being a ‘royal priesthood’. They are to be God’s own people, set free to worship God, to declare to the world the mighty acts of God, to tell people of the love of God, of the forgiveness and acceptance of God, and the invitation of God to know him.
Jesus said that when he is lifted up, he will draw all people to worship him. Here he is lifted up on the cross and people are drawn to him. They lift their hands in openness and worship, praising the one who, in his love for us, gave his life for us, and who rose from the dead. And there is another hand holding a communion cup that looks like a ship, and Jesus rises out of the cup, with one hand reaching down to draw up, and with the other blessing us, bridging heaven and earth.