…the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.
~John 14.30
Counterfeit Power
Sin entered the world when, instead of resisting Satan, Adam and Eve chose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen. 3.1-7) Since that time, all of humanity have fallen under sin and therefore under Satan’s influence.
Satan is referred to as the evil one (Matt. 13.19), ruler of this world (John 12.31), the god of this age (2 Cor. 4.4), and the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2.2). He binds (Luk. 13.16), oppresses (Acts 10.38), and exerts power (Acts 26.18). And his influence is felt the world over today.
Between Satan’s continuing influence and sin’s consequences (Gen. 2.16), without Jesus there would be no hope for humanity. Without Jesus the story would end there and we would forever be subject to the counterfeit power of Satan. But the story doesn’t end there.
Legitimate Power
Jesus is the only one not subject to any of Satan’s claims. Jesus is the perfect God/Man. He reigns over all, including Satan. Though Satan is unwilling to concede this truth, there will come a day when all the battles in the heavenly realms come to an end. Then Satan will have no choice but to bow before Jesus.
Jesus’ legitimate power easily and permanently trumps Satan’s counterfeit power. We are no longer under the counterfeit power of condemnation, but the legitimate force of love. And this legitimate force with its mercy and grace overwhelms and overcomes any counterfeit power.
In the world mercy and grace are seen as weak and powerless. Yet when they are motivated by love, they are the unstoppable force of God. Through them He gives all who choose His Son the right to live lives over which Satan has no claim.
And that is what we celebrate at Easter. Jesus is the only one who can credibly assert that Satan has no claim on Him. And Jesus extends that claim to us when we choose to place our faith and trust in Him.