John 8:28-29

Lifting up (Gr. hypsoo) the Son of Man refers to His crucifixion, which John viewed as His exaltation (cf. John 3:14; John 12:23). The title "Son of Man" is messianic (Daniel 7:13-14) with emphasis on His perfect humanity. Jesus’ enemies would lift Him up. When they did, they would realize that Jesus was the self-existent God. Jesus did not mean that His crucifixion would convince all His critics of His true identity but that that exaltation would be the key to many of them believing on Him (cf. John 12:32). The Crucifixion would convince many unbelievers of Jesus’ true identity (cf. Acts 2).

"This concept of the death on the cross of one who was one with the Father is the great central thought of this Gospel." [Note: Morris, p. 398.]

Jesus again affirmed that everything He said came from and with the authority of His Father (cf. John 8:16; John 8:18; John 8:26). All that He said and did was the Father’s will, including the Cross. Jesus continually expressed His dependence on the Father and gloried in the Father’s presence with Him (cf. John 3:34; John 5:30; John 6:38; John 8:16; et al.). Even though His own rejected Jesus and crucified Him, the Father never abandoned Him. Jesus’ ultimate purpose was to please His Father.