“Now judgment is upon this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself.” John 12:31-32 (Read John 12:27-33)
Jesus came into this world to suffer and die on the cross and make atonement for the sins of all, and by doing so, He would bring glory to God the Father (cf. John 12:27-28).
While Jesus, who was in perfect communion with the Father, did not desire to be condemned and forsaken by God as He bore the guilt of mankind’s sin, that is what the Father sent Him into this world to do. And, by His sacrificial death on the cross for all our sins, He would make it possible for you and me and for all people to be pardoned, forgiven, and restored to fellowship with God our Maker.
After God the Father again spoke from heaven that all might know and recognize Jesus as the Son of God and their Messiah and Savior, Jesus said, “Now judgment is upon this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:31-32). What did Jesus mean?
God’s judgment was about to be meted out upon this sinful world and all its inhabitants, and Jesus would bear that judgment for all when He was lifted up on the cross and there suffered and died the just punishment for the sins of all people. By bearing our guilt and dying in our stead, Jesus made it possible for us to look to Him and His cross in faith and be justified, forgiven, and restored to communion and fellowship with God our Father. He would, through the preaching of the cross, draw all people to Himself, offering them forgiveness from God and everlasting life in fellowship with the Father through faith in His name.
Jesus’ voice, His call, still sounds forth today, calling upon lost sinners to repent of their rebellious and sinful ways and to look in faith to Him and His cross for pardon and forgiveness. He promises pardon and eternal life to all who turn to Him in faith.
Jesus suffered our punishment, and He rose again on the third day in victory. He defeated Satan, who rules over all in this world, having brought us under the curse and condemnation of God’s law by our sin. But Satan is now overcome and defeated through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. He is cast out of heaven and will suffer God’s eternal punishment, along with all whom he has deceived into living in accordance with his lies.
Jesus now offers you the benefits of His victory over Satan. He seeks to rescue you from Satan’s rule and draw you to Himself, forgiving your sins and restoring you to fellowship with God the Father. Will you acknowledge your sins and turn to Him in faith, or will you turn away from Him in unbelief and continue on in your sinful and rebellious ways to partake of God’s eternal wrath and judgment?
As the Scripture says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
O gracious God, have mercy upon my soul and draw me to Jesus and His cross in faith that I might receive of Him pardon, forgiveness, and the eternal joys of fellowship and communion with You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]