Exile

Read: John 12:23-36

The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. John 12:31

IN WORD

History is full of dictators who have been exiled yet still exert influence in their home countries. So when Jesus said the prince of this world would be driven out of it, it’s entirely realistic for us to envision that he has been removed and is still exerting his influence. But the rest of the New Testament doesn’t speak of him as distant; he’s very present. Paul called him “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), John said the whole world is “under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and Peter said this evil creature “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Even though Jesus declared Satan’s end, he hasn’t gone away.

How is this possible? For one thing, though Jesus unseated the enemy from his place of power, multitudes are still unwittingly loyal to his corrupt and deceptive ways. Scripture is clear on two things: There are still spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12), and these powers of darkness have been stripped of power and publicly exposed (Colossians 2:15). The battle rages on, but the outcome has already been decided.

At the Cross, Jesus pulled the plug on Satan’s authority. Like an impostor cop, the evil one still poses as powerful, dresses the part, and inflicts his vengeance on many. But the authority he stole long ago has been stripped away. And when Jesus said he would be driven out, He was inaugurating a new era. From the Cross forward, Jesus would begin imposing His will on the enemy’s plans. He would drive the enemy out of God’s good creation. And He would do it through His people.

IN DEED

That’s right. When Jesus said the prince of this world would be driven out, He wasn’t describing a transaction behind the scenes. He was commissioning His followers to begin the process. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus gives us the authority; the Spirit gives us the power; and the assignment gives us marching orders. We have to know who we are. And we must take the territory once held by evil.

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 John 5:19

The devil fears a soul united to God as he does God Himself.

JOHN OF THE CROSS