I have conquered the world

REFLECTIONS TODAY

The world (Greek kosmos) means the totality of God’s creation, including the whole of humanity. God saw that it was “very good” (Gn 1:31). In John, the world may also stand for those who oppose God’s will and purpose. This world, though created through the Word, is ruled by the prince of the world. This world is “below” in contrast with the world “above;” it is of darkness in contrast with the world of light. It does not receive Jesus, the emissary from above.
Satan tempts Jesus by offering the world’s kingdoms’ power and glory in exchange for worshiping him. He says it has been handed over to him (Lk 4:5-6). For Jesus, this is a big lie. God does not condemn the world even in its sinfulness. Jesus is sent to the world to save it. Now, he has conquered the world. The world is handed over by God to him.
That Satan’s hold on the world is broken means peace. Peace liberates a person from evil and gives him a sense of well-being and happiness. The disciples may still have many troubles in the world, but they are not dismayed because they already share in Christ’s victory. They may not fully know what the future holds, but they know who holds the future: Jesus Christ the Lord. *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [publishing@stpauls.ph](mailto:publishing@stpauls.ph); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*