"Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." John 12:31-32
How is Jesus' crucifixion the judgment of this world? How would the ruler of this world be cast out?
Consider where the sins of this world were judged and condemned. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6). "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21; cf. 1 John 2:1-2). God judged and punished the sins of the world on Christ's cross. Jesus was condemned and forsaken and suffered death for your sins and mine (cf. Matt. 27:45-46)!
The old evil foe, the devil, whom the Bible calls the ruler of this fallen world (cf. Eph. 2:2-3; 6:10-18) and the accuser of the brethren (Job 1:6ff.; 2:1ff.; Rev. 12:10-11), is cast out as a result of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, God's Son and our Savior. Though he would accuse us, atonement has been made by Christ when He shed His holy and precious blood upon the cross for the sins of the world (cf. Col. 1:19-23; 2:13-15). Christ died for our sins and rose again that He might intercede for us with the blood of His atoning sacrifice before the Father (cf. 1 John 1:7 -- 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 8:33-34).
And, as Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Having been lifted up on the cross to suffer and die for the sins of the world, Christ Jesus is now risen and draws all peoples to Himself. Through the preaching of the Gospel of forgiveness and life in His name, He calls people of every nation and people to repent and place their faith and confidence in Him and His cross for pardon, forgiveness and everlasting life (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:14ff.; 2 Cor. 5:18ff.). And all who place their faith in Christ and are baptized will be saved.
Dear Lord Jesus, grant us faith to believe that in You our sin was judged, that for the sake of Your shed blood, atonement for all our sins has been made. Draw us in faith to You and to Your cross that we might receive forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
Editorial on 03/23/2016