30 “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”
“Come now; let us leave.”
Ever looking for the opportune time, the devil now resurfaces. Satan was drawing nigh for his fiercest and final assault on our Lord Jesus. Give the devil his due, he continues to rare his ugly head until the very end even though fully aware of Who he was dealing with. Certainly he must be an optimist of the greatest degree to think he could overcome very God of very God. Perhaps he is simply the greatest fool or the cruelest deceiver overflowing with hate. One should never think they are permanently rid of Satan’s wicked schemes and evil ways – he does not give up the fight. The followers of sweet Jesus are certainly not above their Master and are to be on the alert for Satan’s cunning tactics as well. He always shoots his arrows at our weakest points.
“We are foolish to expect to serve God without opposition; the more zealous we are, the more sure are we to be assailed by the myrmidons of hell. The church may become slothful, but not so her great antagonist; his restless spirit never suffers the war to pause; he hates the woman’s seed, and would fain devour the church if he could.” C. H. Spurgeon
Peter gives us the following warning in Scripture:
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
“Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight. He comes racing after the converted soul, chariot wheels churning the dust, seeking to discourage you, to defeat you. He pursues you with the intensity of Pharaoh. He may use your old friends, a spot of persecution, or discouraging responses by your family. He may show you a hypocrite in the church or afflict you with a general slacking of zeal. He may launch a missile of temptation right at your heart or fire a volley of trials and troubles into your life.” Robert J. Morgan
Christians are able to stand firm against Satan only to the extent that we rely wholly upon the Lord – the serpent has no hold on perfect Jesus. We possess no power in and of ourselves to withstand his wily attacks. This is why we are told to daily dress in the full armor of God:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:10-17 (NIV)
Even the Archangel Michael, though impressively powerful and authoritative, dared not to make a slanderous accusation against the devil rather relied on the Lord to rebuke him. Scripture states:
8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Jude 1:8-9 (NIV)
“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” C. H. Spurgeon
It is interesting to note that our Lord did not say that Judas or the Romans or the Pharisees were coming, only the devil. He is at the bottom of all evil and those he uses are mere pawns in his wicked hands. Woe to those who do his bidding. Of the extent to which the serpent has influence over the world we most assuredly have little comprehension. Jesus was aware that this attack, being Satan’s last on Him incarnate, would be especially violent and bitter. Considering both Gethsemane and Calvary we must certainly agree. Yet there would be no hold on our Lord – no sin was found in the perfect paschal Lamb of God who died to take away the sin of the world. Ever obedient to His Father’s commands, He sets forth the perfect example for every future disciple that follows. It is He who leads us in a triumphal procession – arise and tell others!
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Cor 2:14 (NIV)