We continue our study of the Gospel of John. We pick up at verse 28 of Chapter 12. The Apostle had written the prayer of Jesus to His Heavenly Father to “glorify His name” through what was about to happen. He goes on to tell what happened next. “Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd that was there and heard it said it thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him. Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.”John 12:28-33
Jesus was using all the circumstances that were happening at that time to deliver the message that He was about to die, and what the results would be from His death. He wanted the people to know that Father God was in it all. Jesus had come to drive out the one who was prince of the world at that time, and to take back the kingdom of God that was lost by Adam. The way Father God, and He, and the Holy Spirit had planned it however, was completely beyond what the people, or satan had expected. He went on to tell them that when He was lifted up – nailed to a cross and stuck into the ground for all to see – that He would draw all people to Himself. They would either believe in what was accomplished at the cross, His resurrection, and victory over death, and accept Him as Savior, or continue to live in the life they believed in. The choice is always in the hands of each individual.
The prince of this world at that time was satan. He had deceived Eve, and Adam, and had stolen all they had been put over. Including themselves. Satan is cunning, and powerful. Jesus called him a prince. He is a fallen angel that had rebelled against God because He wanted to be over all, including Father God, and Jesus, and The Holy Spirit- and still does. But Jesus is omnipotent, and omniscient, and more powerful than the enemy, and has taken back the authority. That authority comes into us as well we accept what Jesus has done, and choose to live this life in Him. This was to come, but first the plan had to be be put in place, and followed. It was almost time.
Jesus did not tell the people this truth at the time, but He has told us in the now, so that we will know that peace is ours in Him if we are going through a time of trouble or temptation. He said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He wants us to know that trouble may try to come, but that He is the Way to Victory because He has overcome the enemy. This is Truth. Let us never let ourselves just take what the enemy puts upon us, and be at home in this world, but rather let us make our home in Jesus, and His power. Let us remember every day what He did for us at the cross when He was lifted up in His Love for us. Let us walk in that truth. He has overcome the world. Amen. Yes, He has.