“I will no
longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has
nothing in Me. (John 14:30 NKJ)
longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has
nothing in Me. (John 14:30 NKJ)
During the final
hours of his earthly journey, Jesus understood that he was facing his greatest
struggles. Yet, “this world’s ruler” could not manipulate him or
torment him with any fault or weakness. He had no claim on Christ’s life!
hours of his earthly journey, Jesus understood that he was facing his greatest
struggles. Yet, “this world’s ruler” could not manipulate him or
torment him with any fault or weakness. He had no claim on Christ’s life!
And he shared this
confidence with his disciples. “He has nothing in me.” It is
impossible to know how they may have reacted to this statement. Over the past
few days, they had shown apprehension, anxiety, fear, anger and jealousy. The
“ruler of this world” still had a little something in each of them.
confidence with his disciples. “He has nothing in me.” It is
impossible to know how they may have reacted to this statement. Over the past
few days, they had shown apprehension, anxiety, fear, anger and jealousy. The
“ruler of this world” still had a little something in each of them.
Many people doubt if
the Lord’s confidence and freedom can even be enjoyed by the common believer.
How does one experience the confidence that “the ruler of this world . . .
has nothing in me”? Yet, Jesus gave the prescription for this joy. “Let
not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John
14:1 NKJ).
the Lord’s confidence and freedom can even be enjoyed by the common believer.
How does one experience the confidence that “the ruler of this world . . .
has nothing in me”? Yet, Jesus gave the prescription for this joy. “Let
not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John
14:1 NKJ).
Paul, the Apostle,
characterized our belief experience as a spiritual crucifixion and death
(Romans 6:1-6) and asserts that Christ’s death on our behalf has liberated us
from both sin and death, thus obliterating all claims of “this world’s
ruler.”
characterized our belief experience as a spiritual crucifixion and death
(Romans 6:1-6) and asserts that Christ’s death on our behalf has liberated us
from both sin and death, thus obliterating all claims of “this world’s
ruler.”
Because “if we
died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that
Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has
dominion over Him” (Romans 6:8-9 NKJ). So, our Lord’s confident assertion
that the enemy had no claims in him was the precursor of total victory for all
those who would afterwards believe in his name.
died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that
Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has
dominion over Him” (Romans 6:8-9 NKJ). So, our Lord’s confident assertion
that the enemy had no claims in him was the precursor of total victory for all
those who would afterwards believe in his name.
I am Christ’s and
this world’s ruler has nothing in me! It sounds almost arrogant, but truth will
always offend the enemy. Many claim it is an impossibility (i.e., we aren’t
perfect, etc), but either God’s work on Calvary was finished completely or it
is a falsehood completely. Through Christ, the ruler of this world has nothing
in me. Praise God for his marvelous deliverance!
this world’s ruler has nothing in me! It sounds almost arrogant, but truth will
always offend the enemy. Many claim it is an impossibility (i.e., we aren’t
perfect, etc), but either God’s work on Calvary was finished completely or it
is a falsehood completely. Through Christ, the ruler of this world has nothing
in me. Praise God for his marvelous deliverance!
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ who takes away our sin. Empower us with the confidence of
knowing that his sacrifice completely delivers us from the enemy’s power and
claims. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for Christ who takes away our sin. Empower us with the confidence of
knowing that his sacrifice completely delivers us from the enemy’s power and
claims. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Trust Christ today
and the enemy will have nothing to claim,
and the enemy will have nothing to claim,