March 1, 2021

John 14:30-31, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

Here is the first time in the discourse that Satan is discussed. He is the “ruler of this world,” as Jesus contrasts clearly the sinful state of man with the holy state of redemption offers in himself. Jesus says back in John 12:31 that this same “ruler of the world” would be cast out at the cross. Jesus would defeat sin and death and crush that serpent (Gen. 3:15; Col. 2) at the cross. As it plays out in this narrative, Satan embodies the person of Judas, who would betray Jesus. Just back in John 13:27 we read that ‘Satan entered into him (Judas).” Even though Satan would get what he wants in the death of Jesus, it was all according to the plan of God, in fact, the death of Christ is part of the command of God the Father. And in knowing this future event and still allowing of these things to take place, Jesus shows his radical obedience to the Father. When we think of the death on the cross, we think of Christ receiving on himself our sin - and this is true, of course! But also we need to remember that we receive something too - the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21); his perfect, sinless obedience in his life is now given to us, credited to our account. It is for this reason that God the Father can look on us and receive us with open arms.

We can now say with Jesus, Satan, you’ve got nothing on me. And Satan, go to Hell. That’s where you belong. Because of the work of Christ, we can have full confidence that though Satan may tempt me, he will never gain control of my heart. My heart belongs to Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your obedience. You obeyed the Father when we know that we would have shrunk out of fear; we would have avoided the hardship, and you took it head on for us. You knew you would die, suffer immeasurable pain, and be disconnected from God the Father - and you did it all, for us. I now offer my life in service of you, Lord, and I thank you for giving me all that I have and for promising me all the inheritance of the sons of God. Amen.

40 Days of Joy: Rainbows. What an amazing natural feat this is! Get some water coming through the air, sunlight meets it, and pow! This gorgeous multi-colored bow across the sky. Rainbows have great significance in the Bible as a sign of peace. When the rainbow was shown after the flood in the days of Noah, the word for ‘bow’ there is actually like a warrior’s bow. God promises to never again flood the earth and as a sign of that promise, he puts a bow in the sky, not pointed down to sinful earth, but pointed up towards himself. My peace I give to you, as Jesus says, but at the cost of my own life.