“Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the Prince of
this world be cast out .” Calvary
forever judges the world system and the Prince who controls it. The end is yet future, but the future was
sealed at the cross. The death-blow to
the world and its prince was struck at Calvary.
The turning moment of history is about to happen. The Prince of this
world is judged, Satan and all who follow him. “Through death He destroyed him that
had the power of death-Hebrews 2v14. Having spoiled principalities and powers,
He made a show off them openly, triumphing over them in it"-Colossians 2v15.
The world system was dealt the death blow at Calvary.
“Lifted up” is an interesting description of the cross. It was first described thus in 3v14 and
repeated in 8v28. It is a term which
indicates exaltation, something not usually associated with crucifixion. However it is the term used and refers back
to the elevated pole in Numbers 21 which became the hope and the healing of a
dying people. Lifted up, not as a
powerful sovereign, but as a passionate Saviour, to draw us to God from whom we
have been alienated. The word draw
is literally to drag, for we all seek to resist the drawing power of a
suffering Saviour. None of us want to
admit we are wrong; our pride prevents us from accepting Him readily; we prefer
to gain life, rather than lose it as Jesus said, but He teaches us that the
opposite is the case. It is only when we
see the eternal compensations which are greater than anything this world can
give, especially a world which is now condemned by everything that He is. It is only when we come, albeit unwillingly, we
learn the beauty of the cross and its drawing power. It was with a deep sense of anguish and loss
that Jesus went to the cross to save our souls. It will also be with a sense of loss that we
follow Him; but the rewards are beyond any human description or imagination,
and the compensations greater than the condemned world could ever give.
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