I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
John 14:30-31 (ESV)
Amid Jesus’ last opportunity to instruct his disciples before his crucifixion, he again mentioned the ruler of this world. Earlier, he referred to the ruler of this world being cast out, seeming at Jesus’ crucifixion (Jn. 12:31-32). But now this ruler was coming.
Who is this ruler? Most commentators agree that this is a reference to Satan. Satan was defeated at the cross. While he is clearly still at work in the world, he is a defeated enemy. But when Jesus was speaking in the upper room, the cross was still in his future. However, that time was fast approaching.
Exactly what Jesus meant by Satan coming is unclear. It could have referred to Judas, who Satan had entered earlier that evening (Jn. 13:2, 27). Or he could have been referring to Satan’s orchestration of the betrayal and crucifixion coming to a grand finale.
But whichever Jesus was referring to, he went on to say that Satan had no claim on him. Why? Because he always did what the Father told him to do. Jesus was without sin. So Satan could not touch him.
Jesus faced the cross, not because Satan had a claim on him, but because he was doing what the Father had commanded him. This echoes his later prayer in the garden, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Mt. 26:39). And his obedience to the Father was a demonstration of his love for him.
Rise, let us go from here. The prince of this world is coming. Let’s go to meet him head-on in the garden.
Satan had no claim on Jesus. Jesus went to the cross, not because of his own sin–he had none–but to free people from the ruler of this world. And now, because of that, Satan has no claim on those who are in Christ–those who have come to him in faith. And, like Jesus, we can demonstrate to the world our love for Christ and the Father by living in obedience to them.
