John 12v31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
When we worked in UK- still fighting 2nd WW. The US still trying to win the West. But it was a romantic view because they knew how the story ended. As we approach Easter I wonder whether we are much the same with our E. celebrations, because we know how the story ends.
As I prepared to bring this message today I re-read the passage and the text stood out.
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. Jesus begins to move towards the climax of his ministry. He is on the way to Jerusalem and in a human sense time was running out. One of the things I found when clergy used to visit folk on a regular basis was it was as you prepared to leave after a short visit, that was when people would often launch into a more serious issues. That act of leaving acted as a trigger to say what was really on their minds.. In the middle of this passage filled with meaning, Jesus makes this statement, Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. Reminding us that the crucifixion is in fact a battle ground and Jesus is prophesying that in this battle Satan will be de-throned and God will take his place. So often the cross of Christ is only significantly referred to on Good Friday and then often in terms of” If only Jesus didn’t have to die” or it was a terrible tragedy. But here we see that Jesus was preparing for a fight. The ruler of this world is not going to give up without a major struggle. Jesus didn’t just die and then move on to the resurrection. It is much more complex than that. He had to face the Principalities and powers, Despotic rulers, Witness what is going on in Myanmar. In movies and fiction evil is pictured as grotesque. But it not: It is brilliant and clever, drawing us in almost without us realising, Scams abound, evil in intent, Brilliant in execution. Henry Ford’s wife was once asked about divorce but Murder often. And even we ourselves and drawn into this so that we too are enemies against God. Romans 3:13ff.
He is actually talking about us. Surely!!! Jesus said, Look with lust –adultery. When you get angry –seeking to destroy them. No need to labour the point. Spurgeon would tell his student. When you talk of heaven, eye light up face glow at the wonder. When you talk of hell your ordinary face will do!
We are enemies because in so many ways we have learnt to compromise. These days the way we talk about death- passed. Anyone who has lost a loved one knows they haven’t passed they been torn from us and that loss had left a whole in your life. When we say Jesus defeated death, this is no small thing. Life is tough and we deal with it by compromise. No wonder Paul could say. Wrenched man that I am who will deliver me. Well we know the answer but that helps us to romanticise our own condition. But the stark reality is if I don’t have Jesus I have nothing. That’s why as we approach Easter we recognise the themes of Judgement, conflict, suffering and abandonment before we can move to victory.
In our Bible study we have been looking at the titles of Jesus. Last week was the ‘Son Man’ the only title he used of himself. It appears about 80 times in the gospels and Jesus used it again and again to say that this Jesus lived this life as a man, a human among humans. Jesus as a man did not compromise and as a consequence he suffered. Isaiah 53:1 ff
As a man he lived our life and as a man he suffered. The cross was not only an instrument of death it was designed to humiliate the victim. To say we (Romans-opposition to God) are in charge –you are of no account. We surely didn’t think that the rulers of this world would give up their power without a fight. The idea of God ruling the world horrifies just about everybody. In this conflict we must not assume that it is between Satan and God. No it is between Satan and the man Jesus. Only as a man could he stand in our place. Only as one of us could he carry our failures and the guilt’s and sorrows that we bare. Only as one of us and yet without sin could Jesus take the load. We notice that on the cross Jesus cries out. My God My God. He does not use the familiar way of addressing God as my Father. This cry is the cry of a man lost, abandoned, separated from God: as we often are. Who among us has not cried out? O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, and save me; ease my pain, hep me understand. In Jesus’ cry is, that cry, and by his stripes we are healed.
And he gave up his spirit and died. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out . Tetelestai It is finished, everything has been accomplished.
Jesus died a real death, our death and they laid him in a tomb, and in that event an amazing thing happened. The rulership of the world changed hands, An innocent man had died; God is now in charge. A miracle has taken place and we are transferred for the kingdom of this world into the kingdom of God.
The early church lived with the understanding that Jesus the risen Lord was now in charge, seated at the R H of God. So confident were they of this reality that they faced ever increasing persecution, but thorough it the church, the community of faith was built. They chose to live by Jesus ways and despite the suffering, looked forward to that day when Jesus would return and take his place as ruler of the whole creation. And what of us? That rule is still ongoing and we are called to live with that understanding. The victory has been won but the evil ones keep trying to regain power. The scriptures remind us that this is how it will be. Suffering sums it up. Yet even now the time of Christ’s coming draws ever closer. But rest assured Jesus is at work and there will come a time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus CHrist is Lord. 1 Peter 1:3-16
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