What Jesus Did! 'Darkness Is Defeated' — John 12:31-33

Saturday, August 29, 2026

[Jesus continued,] "The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
— John 12:31-33 NLT

Key Thought

The cross was the place where the prince of this world, Satan, lost at his own game. Satan had intended to use Jesus' horrible death to destroy God's work. Instead, God used Jesus' death on the cross to be the sacrifice for our sins. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God took away the power of sin and death. The powers of darkness that had controlled the world were defeated through Jesus' death and resurrection because of Jesus' obedience to the will of God and his love for us!

Today's Prayer

Father, please give me the courage to live with the confidence that darkness, and the prince of darkness, were defeated because of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and that I can now live faithfully for you because of Jesus' victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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14 Related Resources by Heartlight

Love in Any Language
Article by Phil Ware
Can you communicate love across races, cultures, and language? God communicated his love in a way that people of every language can understand: he did it through Jesus' death on the Cross.
Casting Out the Evil Prince
Illustration of John 12:31-46
Inspirational illustration of John 12:31-46 -- Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Dawn of The New Way: Lifted Up
Article by Phil Ware
Do you think James was really there through all of this mess? Phil Ware shares some insight and background on James the brother of Jesus and how he disbelieved, but came to faith.
Skin Color Shouldn't Matter
Article by Phil Ware
Why is this such a big deal to us? Phil Ware continues to share the values of his dad with his children and wants them to know that prejudice and racial hatred is not acceptable or tolerabe.
See All 14 Related Resources about John 12:31-33

Illustration

Illustration of John 12:31-33 NLT — "The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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