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“He has no claim on Me,” John 14:30
LITTLE
Our verse today comes from the Lord Jesus’ words to His disciples, given to them the night He was betrayed. Jesus spoke of Satan here, the god of this world. Christ Jesus, as perfect Man, could not be owned, subdued, or defeated by Satan because His righteousness was brought under complete submission to the love and authority of the heavenly Father (John 14:31). Moreover, though the god of this world would attempt to destroy Jesus, by the betraying kiss of Judas, by the jealous hatred of religious Jews, and by the jurisdiction of ignorant Roman heathen, Christ’s righteousness, and both the Father’s love and justice, would be on display through the Son’s perfect and precious obedience while pinned to Calvary’s tree. Indeed, Satan has no claim on our Lord.
As we are in Christ Jesus, His righteousness is upon us, imputed to us by grace through faith since we’ve been saved by His most holy and righteous act upon the cross. Because of Christ’s righteousness placed upon our account, Satan has no claim on you, on me, on us. Christ’s righteous act on the cross was only revealed to a few spectators on that day (compared to the world at large), but the spiritual truth has been poured out upon many; and since then, the holy truth of Christ’s righteous act upon the cross is on display to all nations through His beloved church, albeit hidden (2 Cor 4:4), unless revealed by the Father (Matt 16:17), and the Son (Matt 11:27), and the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Yet, one Day, Christ’s righteousness will be revealed to all nations (Rev 15:4). Mr. Spurgeon also reflected upon this in his evening devotion today. He said,
“Happy are they who trust themselves with the conquering Lord, and who fight side by side with Him, doing their little in His name and by His strength!” —C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening; 12/24, from Isaiah 40:5
Indeed! Let us keep in mind this Christmas Eve that our “little” in Christ’s economy is holy, pure, eternal, and precious in the Father’s sight, because we accomplish it, not in our own strength, but by trusting upon Christ’s righteousness alone. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Though Satan’s wiles are strong, we’re warn’d,
Against our puny flesh;
But he has no claim upon our Lord,
Nor on us, if in Christ we rest.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
12/24 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 29; Revelation 15; Zechariah 11; John 14
