John 12:31-34

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 

32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 

33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

“The Prince of this World will be Cast Out”

In the previous verses, God spoke through thunder. In verse 30, Jesus said God did not speak for His sake, but for the people. This statement leads into the next verse. In verse 31, Jesus says that judgment is coming to the world, and that the “ruler of this world” will be cast out or defeated. The world belongs to Satan. Therefore, Satan is the “ruler of this world” who is going to be defeated. This is why Jesus said that God spoke for the people’s sake in verse 30 of the previous verses… because if they don’t follow Jesus, then they will be judged along with the world. What is interesting about this whole scenario is that the unbelieving Jews think that they are the ones passing judgment on Jesus, when in reality, Jesus is the one who is passing judgment on them. What is going to bring about this judgment? 

In the next verse, Jesus tells us that He will be “lifted up from the earth”. This was referencing the cross. Verse 33 confirms that Jesus was “signifying by what death He would die”. Jesus will be lifted up on the cross to die as the sacrificial Passover lamb for the sins of the world. Jesus has referred to being “lifted up” once before in John 3:14-15 when He was speaking privately to Nicodemus…“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus’ death on the cross brought judgment on the world. The world is everyone who is outside of Christ. Jesus defeated death and Satan when He died and rose again. Everyone who does not look at the “lifted-up” Jesus and obey Him will die a spiritual death, just like everyone who didn’t look at Moses’ bronze serpent died a physical death. Those people who refused to obey Moses and look at the bronze serpent died from the serpent bites, and everyone who does not obey Jesus, who was lifted up on that cross, will die from the venomous bite of sin… sin that cannot be forgiven without Jesus’ blood to wash it away. That is the judgment Jesus is speaking of in verse 31. When Jesus says that He will be “lifted up” in verse 32, He means that He will be exalted. His death on the cross will glorify and exalt Him in the eyes of all humanity, past, present, and future. Jesus’ sacrifice is still the most important event in human history. Jesus was and still is exalted because of what He did for all of us 2,000-ish years ago. Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 52:13, “Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.” 

So Jesus’ death on the cross brought judgment on the world, defeated Satan, and brought about His exaltation. What else did His exaltation do? It drew all people to Him… all people, not just the Jewish nation, but every nation under heaven. All people, no matter their nationality, will gain eternal life if they believe in and obey Jesus. In John 6:44, Jesus said that no one comes to Him unless God draws Him. It is our belief that causes God to draw us to Jesus. Jesus has already won the battle against Satan. All we have to do is give Jesus our best effort in this life. Satan is just out there grasping at straws to get all the people He can to follow him. He’ll go to any lengths to do it. He’ll disguise himself in any way possible to trick us. He’ll even make himself look like an angel of light. Satan is desperate, because he knows that he has lost the battle. He knows where his home is going to be, and he wants as many people as he can possibly get to suffer the way he is going to suffer. We should be as desperate as Satan is in our mission. We should be desperate to win souls to Christ. 

In verse 34, the people propose an argument. Paraphrasing, they ask, “How can you say that the Son of man will be ‘lifted up’ when the scriptures say that the Christ will remain forever? Who is this Son of man anyway?” This comes from Psalm 89:36 and Psalm 110:4. Psalm 89:36 says, “His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me”. Psalm 110:4 says, “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” This is also quoted in Hebrews 7:17, 21. The people are still thinking of things from an earthly/physical standpoint. They are thinking, “How can He remain forever if He dies on the cross?” What they are not realizing is that Jesus is speaking in terms of the spiritual, not the physical. Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, and He will be the High Priest of that kingdom forever as He sits at the right hand of God. They don’t want to believe. They don’t want to understand. Jesus’ disciples didn’t fully understand, but they believed in Jesus and trusted Him so much that they didn’t have to fully understand at that point. Isn’t it that way with us? We can’t fully comprehend God’s plans. We don’t fully understand the why behind everything that God has done or will do. However, because He is our Creator and Savior, we trust Him with our lives. We believe He will take care of us and keep His promises. We know all we need to know. We have all we need in His Word. 

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we must remain faithful until death or until Jesus returns, whichever comes first. (Rev. 2:10)

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!