12:29,30
The voice does not seem to have been that clear to the crowds, or perhaps it is more likely that they are describing what the voice sounded like, as the text implies that they did hear the voice. Some claim it thundered, others that an angel had spoken to Jesus. So some wanted to say that God had not actually spoken ( a common enough phenomenon!), whilst others believed He had spoken. Jesus tells that the voice was not for His benefit, but for theirs.
12:31
We now get something of the great importance of what is about to happen, and its global significance. If we just see Jesus as a “good man”, or the cross merely as a demonstration of God’s love then we really don’t see anything at all. First, Jesus says that “now is the time for judgement of this world”. The cross is a judgement upon all mankind, it is a judgement upon you and me. Part of what the cross says is that that is where you and I deserve to be. My sin and sinfulness was judged upon that cross. The judgement also has consequences, for the “ruler of this world will be cast out”. The cross marks the defeat of Satan, he has lost his hold over the world. Now there can be silly interpretations of this. One is to say that Satan no longer has any power or influence. That is quite clearly nonsense. But it is true that he is a defeated enemy, and that when we walk in step with the Spirit, living by faith in Christ, we have authority over him. We can drive him out. Doing so may involve suffering, but we need to know that we are on the victorious side.
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