Victory in Death

Verse of the day: Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Imagine for a moment that we are watching a boxing match. It has gone all ten rounds, as we cheer for our favorite boxer. Suddenly, and without warning, after a tremendous fight, our boxer decides he is just going to lie down and allow himself to be counted out. I can only imagine the things that would be said about that fighter by those watching the match. However, imagine that even though he laid down and was counted out, he stands up and the referee raises his hand in victory. Anyone who knows anything about boxing would say that was a foolish and absurd decision! Yet, the Word of God tells us that this is exactly what the Jews and the Greeks see when they view the Cross…a stumbling block and foolishness (1 Cor 1:23). There are many, still today, that see the message of the Gospel as foolishness. They cannot see the wisdom in someone laying down their life, and dying, to give us something they believe cannot be given freely but must be earned. The day of Jesus’ crucifixion was not the day of His defeat, but on the contrary it was the day of His victory, and ours. Satan and his demons saw the Cross as Jesus’ demise and defeat, but it was exactly what God had planned in order to purchase our salvation. The battle began, and was announced, at the fall of man (Gen 3). Satan took a few swings at Jesus, but none of them ever landed a solid punch; his attempts to tempt Jesus failed (Mt 4; Lk 4), as Jesus countered with God’s Word. He tried to use Peter but only earned a rebuke for himself (Mt 16:23). The ultimate power of darkness was felt in the Garden, after Judas’ betrayal, at Jesus’ arrest (Lk 22:53). However, Jesus had already announced the foe’s defeat, stating that “now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (Jn 12:31). Jesus made it clear that no one took His life, but that He was voluntarily laying it down (Jn 10:17-18). Satan thought that he had finally defeated Jesus when He was nailed to the Cross, but that was the beginning of the end, as Jesus was actually publicly defeating His enemy, and ours. The shame He openly experienced and despised was the open display of victory Satan did not expect (Heb 12:2). In allowing Himself to be nailed to the Cross, for our sins, He stripped Satan of his power. He no longer has power over those of us who have called upon Jesus. The bondage we were in because of sin and death has been destroyed, and taken out of Satan’s hands (Heb 2:15). Like a king would parade the spoils of his victory for all to see, Jesus, our King, openly paraded the spoils of His victory over Satan via His crucifixion and resurrection. While from a human perspective the Cross is a picture of suffering and shame for many; from a heavenly perspective it is about victory and glory. It is about defeating the enemy and breaking the grip of bondage. It is about reconciling us to God, and being at peace with our Creator. It is about making a way for us to gain eternal life and becoming sons and daughters of God. Jesus administered the ultimate and fatal blow to Satan, sin, and death, when the hammer pounded the nails into His hands and feet, and He later announced, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30).

Jesus came here to lay down His life and give it as a Sacrifice and payment for our sins. God promised that if we believe and call upon His Son, Jesus, for eternal life, He will save us and we will spend eternity with Him (Rom 6:23; 10:13). Repent, confess your sins, and be saved. Receive Him and His free gift of salvation today.