b) The problem of “struggling with the Soul” had been resolved
2. The Solution to the Struggle
a) Prayer to God
b) Presence of God confirmed
AN IMPORTANT LESSON COMMUNICATED
1. The Lord Jesus once again sought to teach about His imminent death
2. This was something that He had taught earlier but had not been fully comprehended
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?”
John 12:31-34
THE JUDGMENT OF THIS WORLD
1. The world that the Lord Jesus spoke of
a) The carnal world
b) This earthly world
2. It stood in judgment against the Lord Jesus
a) It resisted His teachings
b) It would judge Him and condemn Him to death (shortly)
3. But the world itself would be judged
a) By the Lord God
b) The following would be judged:
i) It’s wickedness
ii) It’s sinfulness
SATAN CAST OUT
1. Satan is the ruler of this world
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience
Ephesians 2:1-2
a) He is described as the prince of the power of the air
b) He works in the sons of disobedience
2. Cast out
a) He will be defeated by the Son of Man
b) In the full obedience of the Lord Jesus, Satan is cast out
c) He is still powerful
d) His being cast out describes the fatal blow he will receive
THE DEATH OF THE LORD JESUS
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.
John 12:32-33
1. Lifted up from the earth
a) This is a reference to His crucifixion
b) The Lord Jesus knew exactly how He would die
2. A hidden meaning
a) The Lord Jesus would be lifted up in another sense
b) He would be exalted
3. He will draw all peoples to Himself
a) Jews
b) Gentiles
4. The Message of the Cross
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
a) The Cross is a symbol of God’s power
b) It is also a symbol of God’s wisdom
THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
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?”
John 12:34
1. The knowledge of some of the people
a) They had some knowledge of the Law
b) The Christ (The Messiah) remains forever
2. The Son of Man
a) This was a description of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13-14, 27)
b) He would receive the eternal kingdom
3. Who was this Son of Man?
a) How could He die?
b) What did the Lord Jesus mean?
The lack of understanding continues till today
CONCLUSION
1. To obtain as much knowledge as we can about the Lord Jesus Christ