John 12:31-33 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.… The gospel, with the Cross as its centre, is destined to exert an influence over the whole race. I. WHEREVER IT IS PROCLAIMED IT CREATES A GENERAL INTEREST AND EXERTS A UNIVERSAL INFLUENCE. The fact is as startling as the assertion. Millions of sympathetic hearts cluster round the Cross, of all orders of intellect, all nationalities, etc. Even infidels, in spite of their antipathies, are drawn to the Cross to write lives of Christ. How can we account for this great influence? 1. The life and sufferings of Jesus are in the highest degree expressions of the Divine mind and heart. Nature is full of attractions. It is uphill work to scale the mountain, but the tourist is drawn up by an irresistible influence. We are always ready for another country walk. Man soon gets tired of human productions, but never of the works of God. The Divine alone can capture the spirit of man, and the Cross is the sublimest exhibition of the Divine. 2. Christ's life and sufferings supply a particular craving in the human breast. What an attraction a fountain has for a crowd of thirsty people, and the Cross attracts because there is that in it which alone can quench the thirst of the spirit. The great questions, "How shall a man be just with God?" "How shall conscience be satisfied?" are only answered there. 3. The same life and sufferings have conferred inestimable blessings on mankind. The influence radiating from the Cross has banished superstitions, liberated slaves, promoted peace, good government, etc., and therefore forces the most reluctant to give it a silent tribute of respect. II. THE SPECIAL INFLUENCE OF THE CROSS IS THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS. Some lives are more effective at a distance; but the nearer we come to Christ the better. Thousands are near enough to the Cross to be touched by its influence, but not its transforming power. There is here — 1. A sacrifice for sin. The Cross is the power which draws us to God for reconciliation. 2. Sanctification from sin — "Whereby the World is crucified unto Me." 3. Elevation above sin "Unto Me." (T. Davies, Ph. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.WEB: Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. |
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