John 12:31-33 31Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be thrown out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33And he said this signifying by what kind of death he was going to die.
The people were confused by the voice from heaven, misinterpreting the significance of its confirmation about Jesus. Their lack of understanding and failure to make the connection between Jesus and the glory of the Father may have elicited the negative statement of verse 31. Jesus’ coming brought two types of responses with two different outcomes. Those who believe in him receive eternal life, but those who do not face judgment. The crucial point of belief was coming in just a few days. Two things would happen. One is the unbelief of this world would become even clearer because people would refuse to accept the message of the cross and resurrection. By rejecting Jesus, people also reject the Almighty God who sent Jesus to the world as the Light of love and holiness.
The second is that as the Light, Jesus would expose the darkness of Satan. The description the ruler of this world recurs in 14:30 and 16:11 and refers to Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). It may appear that Satan beat Jesus by using the religious and political leaders to kill him on the cross, but resurrection triumphed over evil. Satan did everything he could to tempt Jesus away from the path to the cross but was not successful because Jesus relied on the Father and perfect faith in God as his Father. The victory of Jesus was the defeat of Satan. Satan’s reign on earth is limited in time and scope. Although it seems that evil is winning, with all the wars, immorality, abuse, and rejection of God’s ways, the war has already been won with the empty tomb. Satan, evil, and sin are bound to this age, but the new age of eternity is breaking in through those who believe in Jesus.
Verse 32 is a powerful reminder of the impact Jesus’ death on the cross would have. The phrase lifted up from the earth could be interpreted several ways. John states in verse 33 that it refers to Jesus literally being lifted up on a cross as the way he died. Jesus could also have meant lifted up in the way of exaltation and glorification. Theologically, the two ideas go together. Being lifted up on the cross was the moment of Jesus’ glorification. The irony of God’s plan is what looked like defeat was actually the moment of victory over the power of sin and death.
The power of the cross will draw all people to Jesus. Draw (helkysō) can mean to pull or attract. Those with faith will see God’s grace at work. Prevenient grace will draw all people by casting a light on the shadow from the darkness of sin, shame, and rebellion in every person’s life. The message of the cross is for all people, not just for Jews or select individuals. The word now at the beginning of verse 31 indicates that this message of hope is available in the present and does not need to wait for the end of time. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the day of salvation.”
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