“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.) (John 12:31-33 NET)
When we live by faith we don’t think or reason like other people. We see things from a spiritual standpoint, and so what could make other people sad and depressed, could be a positive sign, or an indication of good things to come for us. One thing that we cannot accept is to have the mind of the world, to agree with what everyone else is saying. The world should appear shallow, shortsighted, and materialistic to us—what they value and strive for cannot be what we live for.
Here we see Jesus speaking about His death a short time before it was to happen, and instead of dreading it and speaking about the horrible pain and suffering He would endure—which the average person would do—He speaks about how Satan will be driven out and that He will draw all people to Himself. Instead of sadness and depression… instead of a superficial, worldly outlook, He sees the coming events for what they really are in the spiritual world. He sees the good that will come about through His death and sacrifice.
Right now, each one of us is facing one or more situations that could be interpreted the wrong way if we are not careful. Though Jesus’ death was the worst thing He endured in His lifetime, it was also the most powerful by far, and the most life changing. And with us it is the same, the greater the victory and blessing, the greater the sacrifice and effort required to make it a reality. If we look on the negative side—the pain of the sacrifice we’re going to have to make, the difficulties we have to overcome—we will kill our faith and lose out on the blessings that God has set aside for us. We have to see beyond the difficulties, and know that our God is no fool. He has a plan, and as long as we react by faith, it will become a reality.
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