[arcura]

There is much to be learned in...
Today's Gospel lesson.
John 12:20. Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
21. So these came to Philip, who was from Beth-saida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
22. Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus.
23. And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.
24. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.
27. "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour.
28. Father, glorify thy name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
29. The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
30. Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
31. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out;
32. And I, when I am lifted from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
33. He said this to show by what death he was to die.
There is much to contemplate in the above.
But I have a question.
:confused:Who was the ruler of this world that was cast out that Jesus spoke of?
Is it Satan and if so how come we are told by many that Satan is still here?:confused:
:)Peace and kindness,:)
Fred

[450donn]

Not "was" but "is" might be a better way to phrase the question. Satan has control or rule over the earth today. The only thing holding him back( restraining him) is the Church of Jesus Christ.
Vs31 there is speaking of things yet to come.

[JoeT777]

Fred:

I prefer to quote St. Chrysostom rather than propose my own thoughts; his seems so much more complete. I don't think I could do it justice. But, what you'll see is the Satin is the prince of the world referred to in these passages. The term “prince of the world is used in John 14:30, and alluded to as the “prince of the power of this air' in Ephesians 2:2. St. Chrysostom explains best as to why.

Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast down.

What connection has this with, I have glorified, and will glorify? Much, and closely harmonizing. For when God says, I will glorify, He shows the manner of the glorifying. What is it? That one should be cast down. But what is, the judgment of this world? It is as though He said, there shall be a tribunal and a retribution. How and in what way? He slew the first man, having found him guilty of sin, (for 'by sin death entered' Romans 5:12) but in Me this he found not. Why then did he spring upon Me and give Me over to death? Why did he put into the mind of Judas to destroy Me? (Tell me not that it was God's dispensation, for this belongs not to the devil, but His wisdom; for the present let the disposition of that evil one be enquired into.) How then is the world judged in Me? It shall be said, as if a court of justice were sitting, to Satan, Well, you have slain all men, because you found them guilty of sin. But why did you slay Christ? Is it not clear that you did it wrongfully? Therefore in Him the whole world shall be avenged. But, that this may be still more clear, I will make it plain by an exam ple. Suppose there is some cruel tyrant, bringing ten thousand evils on all those who fall into his hands. If such a one engaging with a king, or a king's son, slay him unjustly, his death will have power to get revenge for the others also. Suppose there is one who demands payment of his debtors, that he beats them and casts them into prison; then from the same recklessness that he leads to the same dungeon one who owes him nothing: such a man shall suffer punishment for what he has done to the others. For that one shall destroy him.

So also it is in the case of the Son; for of those things which the devil has done against us, of these shall the penalty be required by means of what he has dared against Christ. And to show that He implies this, hear what He says; Now shall the prince of this world be cast down, by My Death. (St. Chrysostom Homily 67)

Christ was attacking wickedness, paganism and mysticisms so prominent in the world. Christ's sacrifice will be the power by which he becomes triumphant over evil. The ruler over such things is Satan, much as it is today; he attempts to thwart Christ's ministry to “draw all men to [Him]” But what actually is to happen is quite different, Christ's passion on the Cross paid for the sins of man, delivering them from bondage. The innocent paid the debt of the guilty.

JoeT

[arcura]

Joe,
Thanks very much for that.
Peace and kindness,
Fred