Claimless

“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 I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”

–          Jesus Christ, John 14:30

These last few weeks it has seemed as if Satan has been battering me full force day in and day out, and I have fallen before those attacks time and time again. It is an amazingly frustrating thing to know the truth – to know exactly what you should do – and yet fail to do it time and time again.  More and more I understand the Apostle Paul’s exclamation, “Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall rescue me from this body of death?” To know failure; to know that no matter how much I attempt I shall fail; to feel as if a captive when you know that you should be free, that seems to be my lot these last weeks.

So there I sat this morning, awaking to a gorgeous dawn and to the reminder that I had failed again the day before. As is my habit, I made myself breakfast and grabbed my Bible to read for as long as time allowed. Permit me here to divert my train of thought. Oh, how essential it is, my Christian brothers and sisters, to begin each day in the Word! It is our life blood; it is the lens through which we must learn to see all things, and how shall we see through it if we do not saturate place it before ourselves? Be ever ready to grasp those hallowed pages and study what is written within. The words found there bring life and health and peace and hope to those who hear them. Begin with them each morning and you shall not fail to see the results. Time and time again I have come to that thirty-something minutes discouraged, angry, or frustrated, only to rise in joy and having a completely different perspective on the day. Never yet has there failed to be a sentence which strikes sharp at the heart of what is present in my life. Whether it be to encourage or convict; give peace or stir up passion, there shall always be something waiting in the Word of God for you. This morning was no different.

As part of my regular reading I’ve been working my way through the Gospels and am currently nearing the end of the Gospel according to John. The above verse, taken from Jesus’ discourse to His disciples during the Last Supper, struck me with great power. In the next few moments I hope to lay out what struck me from those words of our Savior’s in a way that, God willing, will do for you what it has done for me this day.

Note first that Christ new full well that Satan, the “ruler of this world” was coming for him, to bear him away to the cross. How often have we been caught unawares by the devil’s schemes? Yet Christ new that the ruler of this world was coming for him, and accepted it; he did not cower or rail against his coming, he only submitted, not to Satan, but to the will of God the Father. Oh that our hearts would be so firm in their faith that we would not only see the schemes and traps of Satan, but that we would face them as the Father commands! Christian, tremble not at the devil’s greatest attacks! Your shelter and shield is secure. You have been bought and purchased at a price; you have been called with a calling that is irrevocable; you are held in a hand that no demon or angel can bend to their will.

Note secondly how Christ knew that in his position the ruler that was coming had no claim upon him. Herein is the great wonder, the great encouragement to us in times of failure and trouble; we can say with Jesus that the ruler of this world has no claim on us, for we have been united with Christ. As he is, so are we. We have been joined with him in his death and shall also join with him in his resurrection, and as such “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4) Satan shall come, oh yes, the ruler of this world shall come, but we who are in Christ may declare with all confidence, “He has no claim on us!” Ours is the resurrection life, we are born of water and Spirit and are freed from the chains of law and sin. Cry with joy when trials and tribulations come, when you are tempted, and when you feel the oppression of the ruler of this world, saying, “You have no claim on me, for I am Christ’s alone!”

Lastly, and lastly only because it is late and I need sleep, note Christ’s action at the end of the passage. His response to the knowledge of Satan’s imminent attack and that Satan has no true claim upon him, though he may cause harm, leads to movement.  Jesus says to His disciples, “Rise, let us go from here.” Let us heed that call. Do not be paralyzed by fear or worry. The combined knowledge of the real danger and our real protection and freedom should lead us to rise from our seats and act. Are you tempted? Do not sit and waver! Rise, go from that place and do the will of the Father! Are you persecuted? Rise and do as Christ did, bear your cross meekly and depending upon the Father for strength. Are you besieged by the devil and his wiles? Rise, oh saint, rise and take up your shield. Ten thousand of his fiery darts shall note scourge you if the Lord is your protector.

Yes, the ruler of this world comes against us in constant battle and our flesh conspires with him as a traitor. Yes, he may do very real harm to us and it may seem as if he has free reign to do as he wills with us. Perhaps at times it will seem as if we are once again under law and not under grace; that the lingering sin in our earthly bodies has gained more power than that Spirit of God which we so much love. Keep faith, oh heart! Neither Satan nor sin have any claim on us if we are in Christ! Heed those truths, hide them within your heart and let them be an anchor and shield to you in times of storm and war. Plant them as seeds within the fertile soil of the soul and trust that God shall cause the growth. Heed them and rise, go from the place of your fear and defeat; rise and follow Christ wherever he may lead. It is there, in the footsteps of God himself, that we shall find joy.