Homiletic Review John 12:31-33 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.… The attraction of gravitation is an invisible force, whose centre is the sun. This natural force illustrates the attractive power of the Cross. The Cross attracts — I. BY ITS EXHIBITION OF JUSTICE (Romans 3:25). 1. Violated law demands the punishment of the guilty. This principle is inherent in man's conscience. There is a distinction between chastisement and punishment. The one originates in love, and its end is the good of the offender; the other originates in justice, and its end is the maintenance of the majesty of law. 2. The Cross of Christ satisfies the demand of conscience for justice. Christ is "the propitiation for our sins" (2 John 2:2). (1) The sufferings of Christ were penal. He bore our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). He was "made a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). "God made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21). (2) The sufferings of Christ were vicarious (1 Corinthians 15:3). (3) All the difficulties of this truth find their practical solution in the union of the believer with Christ (Hebrews 10:22). II. BY ITS EXHIBITION OF LOVE. 1. It has its origin in love (1 John 3:16). 2. It reconciles the attributes of God. The substitution of Christ for sinners is not a mere arbitrary interference (Psalm 85:10). 3. The sacrifice of the Cross was voluntary, and in accordance with a covenant arrangement between the Father and the Son (John 10:17, 18). III. THIS EXHIBITION OF LOVE AND JUSTICE IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS THE MIGHTY MAGNET OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD. 1. The power which draws near to the Cross is the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11). 2. There is no passion, affection, or desire of the human heart which the Holy Spirit cannot subdue by the Cross. 3. The attractive power of the Cross, through the influences of the Holy Spirit, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Homiletic Review.) 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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