Judgment
Read John 16:8-11.
Twice I have been to Linderhof, one of the palaces of "Mad" King Ludwig in Bavaria, Germany. Once I also got to go to Neuschwanstein, the castle Ludwig built but never finished inside, the castle that Disney later based his "Cinderella" castle upon. These are only two of the palaces Ludwig built for himself as he bankrupted the nation pursuing his own pleasure, his own desires, his own self-image. Over and over again, Ludwig's decisions were made solely based on what he wanted, not on what was best for his people. You can tell what the people thought of him by his "nickname," Mad King Ludwig.
I think of Ludwig when I read how Jesus describes the "prince of this world." Jesus, I believe, is referring to Satan, the one who (for a time) has rulership over our world, but there are those "temporal rulers" who seem to follow in his footsteps. Ludwig, for instance—always caring for himself, not his people. History has condemned Ludwig, and Jesus says the courts of heaven have already condemned Satan, the prince of this world. Why, then, does the world seem hell-bent on following the selfish path the world's prince has laid out?
This is one more way the world is proven wrong by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says when it comes to judgment, the world's discernment can't be trusted because their prince has already been condemned, already been judged. Following that path will only lead to destruction, just as following a bad king or president or pastor will lead to trouble. The true path is the path of the Spirit, because he points to Jesus, the one who selflessly laid down his life for his people. Paul says Jesus never thought of his own privilege or power when he came to give his life. His one goal was to glorify God and to save his people (see Philippians 2:5-11). The Spirit directs us to follow on that pathway, not the other.
So why do we so often choose a path that has been condemned? That's like being offered a free home in the nicest part of town, no strings attached, but choosing to live instead in an abandoned warehouse with no heat, air, or running water. Why would someone make that choice? And yet people do, each and every day. They choose to follow a condemned path rather than a path that leads to life. If we need an even clearer choice, listen to Jesus himself: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe" (John 6:63-64). And even with that, the choice made by some breaks my heart: "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (John 6:66). Don't make that choice. Allow the Spirit of God to live inside you as he points you toward Jesus.
The world is wrong in regard to sin, righteousness and judgment. But the Spirit leads us into life. Thanks be to God!
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| Neuschwanstein Castle - Germany |
I think of Ludwig when I read how Jesus describes the "prince of this world." Jesus, I believe, is referring to Satan, the one who (for a time) has rulership over our world, but there are those "temporal rulers" who seem to follow in his footsteps. Ludwig, for instance—always caring for himself, not his people. History has condemned Ludwig, and Jesus says the courts of heaven have already condemned Satan, the prince of this world. Why, then, does the world seem hell-bent on following the selfish path the world's prince has laid out?
This is one more way the world is proven wrong by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says when it comes to judgment, the world's discernment can't be trusted because their prince has already been condemned, already been judged. Following that path will only lead to destruction, just as following a bad king or president or pastor will lead to trouble. The true path is the path of the Spirit, because he points to Jesus, the one who selflessly laid down his life for his people. Paul says Jesus never thought of his own privilege or power when he came to give his life. His one goal was to glorify God and to save his people (see Philippians 2:5-11). The Spirit directs us to follow on that pathway, not the other.
So why do we so often choose a path that has been condemned? That's like being offered a free home in the nicest part of town, no strings attached, but choosing to live instead in an abandoned warehouse with no heat, air, or running water. Why would someone make that choice? And yet people do, each and every day. They choose to follow a condemned path rather than a path that leads to life. If we need an even clearer choice, listen to Jesus himself: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe" (John 6:63-64). And even with that, the choice made by some breaks my heart: "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (John 6:66). Don't make that choice. Allow the Spirit of God to live inside you as he points you toward Jesus.
The world is wrong in regard to sin, righteousness and judgment. But the Spirit leads us into life. Thanks be to God!
Amen!
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