Introduction:
As the Apostle Paul said, “For I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)
Happy Easter in Christ!
So, let us dig a little deeper into the basic message of the Resurrection.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a message for the whole world, not just a few. It is a message many have and will reject outright. But, conversely, it is a message many more have and will embrace, even staking their lives on.
What is the gospel message of the day we loosely call Easter (more precisely, Resurrection Sunday)? What did the Lord, Himself say about Good Friday and Easter Sunday? Let’s have a look:
(All emphasis mine)
“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:31-32
Who is “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31)?
Satan.
What “world” was Jesus referring to when He said, “Now is the judgment of this world” (John 12:31)?
The entire world, of both gentiles and Jews.
So, what was Jesus saying above?
To a crowd of both Jews and gentiles, Jesus was declaring that the Jews are not immune to Satan’s rule over sinners but that He – Jesus – will end Satan’s rule and “draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).
How?
As long as people remain guilty of their sins, Satan retains his grip on humanity. When Jesus pays on the cross – “lifted up from the earth” – the death penalty due for those sins, Satan’s grip will be cast off and Christians from “all peoples” will be drawn to Jesus for salvation that is in and through Him.
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John 16:7-11
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin,
and of righteousness,
and of judgment:
9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me.
10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more.
11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
The impact the Holy Spirit will have on the world. “He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8).
How will the Holy Spirit convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment?
Through Christians whom He will indwell, empower and lead.
What did Jesus mean by convicting the world “of sin, because they do not believe in Me“ (John 16:9)?
The Holy Spirit will lead Christians to proclaim Jesus’ gift of salvation, which delivers people from their sins (plural).
When people reject that, they will be convicted (legal term) of the “sin” (singular) of not believing Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the death penalty due for their sins, and therefore remain guilty of them.
And by, “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more” (John 16:10).
When Jesus was on the earth, He was accused of being many things, including a deceiver: “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people” (John 7:12); a blasphemer: “The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33); and even demon-possessed: “And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons” (Mark 3:22). When His resurrection and return to the “Father” (John 16:10) in heaven is preached, the world will be convicted (Legal guilt – Here – Matthew 12:31-32*). Because His claim of being God was true and righteous.
And by convicting the world “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:11)?
One would possibly expect “the accuser of the brethren,” “the ruler of this world” to be the one passing judgment. But because on the cross Jesus crushed Satan’s grip on humanity’s sin, Satan is judged as having been defeated, and that news will also be proclaimed by Christians led by the Holy Spirit.
These things take place at “Now is (the time of) the judgement of this world.” The birth, death, Resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This judgement is ongoing through every generation until Christ’s return, when the final judgement will take place.
This is Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The time that has sealed the fate of Satan’s passing dominion of this world.
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:31-32 (All: Some unto salvation, some to be convicted by His judgement.)
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John 20:30-31
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.
31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.”
My Hope is only in Jesus Christ, His blood and Righteousness, imputed to me when I believed in Him, putting my life in His hands. Yesterday, today and forever, by His Grace alone. He has risen! He is Alive and Life eternal for all who will believe into Him! Today is the day. Now is the time.
~G.W.
Note: *Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – Matthew 12:24-32. (Jesus spoke only the words He heard from our Father through the Holy Spirit. To lie about the source of Jesus power of word, attributing it to satan, was to lie against the Holy Spirit).
His eye is on the sparrow 
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