The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 14:30-31,
"I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
Here Jesus tells his disciples that the culmination of his earthly ministry is upon them. The "prince of this world", that is, Satan, is coming in the person of Judas Iscariot. All according to plan, God will use Satan through the betrayal of Judas, who had chosen to worship the idol of avarice rather than the Son of God. Jesus came to offer himself as a sacrifice for all mankind and this was the chosen vehicle in accomplishing that.
As Jesus comforts and assures his disciples just before it happened, he made clear that although Satan was the tool through which he would effect his atonement for sin, Satan himself had no hold over him. What Satan was going to accomplish in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was something the Father and the Son planned. Satan was the dupe. As Jesus Christ gave his life as a ransom for us, he showed the world that he loves the Father and does exactly what the Father commands him.
Far from Satan having any "hold" on Jesus Christ, any control or power or authority, it was actually the other way around. I am reminded of Hebrews 2:14-15, "Since the children have flesh and blood, he [Jesus Christ] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
"I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
Here Jesus tells his disciples that the culmination of his earthly ministry is upon them. The "prince of this world", that is, Satan, is coming in the person of Judas Iscariot. All according to plan, God will use Satan through the betrayal of Judas, who had chosen to worship the idol of avarice rather than the Son of God. Jesus came to offer himself as a sacrifice for all mankind and this was the chosen vehicle in accomplishing that.
As Jesus comforts and assures his disciples just before it happened, he made clear that although Satan was the tool through which he would effect his atonement for sin, Satan himself had no hold over him. What Satan was going to accomplish in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was something the Father and the Son planned. Satan was the dupe. As Jesus Christ gave his life as a ransom for us, he showed the world that he loves the Father and does exactly what the Father commands him.
Far from Satan having any "hold" on Jesus Christ, any control or power or authority, it was actually the other way around. I am reminded of Hebrews 2:14-15, "Since the children have flesh and blood, he [Jesus Christ] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
Just how wonderful is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment