John 12:31-33 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.… 1. When a man is leading a great religious movement, the worst thing that could usually happen is that he should die. The death of a pastor is often a hindrance to a good work. But here is one great religious Leader who, through death, draws all men to Himself. 2. But if the death of a religious leader is a disgraceful one, what damage his influence suffers — e.g., Dr. Dodd, who was hung for forgery. But behold a wonder I The death of Jesus on a malefactor's cross is the secret of His highest influence. I. THE ATTRACTIVE POWER OF THE CRUCIFIED SAVIOUR. Himself. 1. Some suppose that Christ was lifted up to draw men unto the priests. 2. To draw men to a church might satisfy a religious bigotry. 3. But Christ alone can satisfy their souls. II. HOW THAT POWER IS EXERCISED TODAY. There are degrees of drawing. Those who have never heard of Christ are drawn in a sense, for the world is pervaded with His influence. 1. Some say that the force that draws man is light; but men are sometimes driven away by light. They rebel against it, and use the truth to their own detriment. 2. Men are won to Christ by the force of love. Even earthly love is powerful. Swayed by love, what have not mothers done. Jesus' power lay in His irresistible love. 3. By His sufferings. In the old martyr days, what made England Protestant was the death of martyrs. 4. By the instrumentality of other men. Not by ministers only, but by holy life and loving words. III. WHAT IT EVIDENTLY IMPLIES. 1. That men were far off from Christ. The older philosophers taught that men started like a sheet of white paper, and decried original sin. But the newer philosophers tell us that we have inherited all the desires and vices of our animal ancestors. 2. That men would not come to Christ unless He drew them. 3. That if we feel ourselves drawn, the wisest thing for us to do is to yield. (C. H. Spurgeon.) 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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