Unexpected Victory
December 13, 2010
Dear Friends,
It was an amazing victory. They had to pull out all the stops to accomplish it, but they did it. In retrospect, it was far more than they could have hoped for. Not only did they accomplish his execution, the manner in which he was executed – the shameful act of crucifixion preceded by torture and ridicule – was beyond their wildest dreams. It had taken five separate hearings – two with Annas and Caiaphas, one with the Sanhedrin, one with Herod, one with Pilate – to get a guilty verdict. They pulled out all the stops including false witnesses and the bribing of Judas, but it was all done now. Jesus was dead. Victory at last!
Did you ever wonder how the priests, Pharisees and Sadducees celebrated that Passover? Were they giddy in their triumph? Could they hardly wait until the sacred day was over so they could gloat with their friends over their triumph and regale them with the role that they had played? Were they a little bit nervous with the talk of the resurrections that had occurred, the rending of the Temple curtain and the earthquake? Were they even more nervous about the speculation about Jesus rising from the dead? We don’t know how they felt that day, but we do know that what they had worked diligently for was accomplished. The bane of their existence – Jesus of Nazareth – was no more – or so they thought.
If there is anyone who can demonstrate to us how to turn a hopeless solution around, it is God. How can you salvage victory from a situation in which the hero is dead and the supporters are disbanded and utterly discouraged? As we are promised in the Bible, “with God, all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26) There appeared to be no hope in this situation. The bad guys had won and had done so spectacularly.
There are a lot of great “against all odds” victories in the Bible such as David and Goliath, Gideon’s battle or Elijah and the prophets of Baal. None of these stories compares with Christ’s victory over his enemies at the crucifixion. Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but the very actions of his enemies were the vehicle for Jesus to increase to indescribable power and authority.
He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.(Eph. 1:20-23 NIV)
In a way, the work of Jesus’ enemies was an important step in his triumph. It was only thought death and his subsequent resurrection that Jesus could attain all of this power and become the powerful advocate for his servants that he had promised he would be.
This seems to be a Divine pattern, doesn’t it? God brings victory from defeat. God brings triumph to the downtrodden and the outcasts. If there is lesson for us in all of this beyond the beauty of God’s handiwork, it is the knowledge that the same God who brought Jesus victory is that same God that is working in our life. The same Jesus who suffered so terribly and brought victory from despair is there as well. Yes, we are “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37 NIV). No one can prevail against us as long as God is on our side. Sure, things may look bleak. Things may look like they are beyond repair. However, we worship a mighty God. He will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) In the end, victory will be ours.
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Ps. 149:4 NIV)
Have a great week,
Comments»
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes of this event. The law is broken when the priests question Jesus and bring false witnesses against him, “yet he opens not his mouth” knowing that, “You will not leave my soul in Sheol” which will bring about the greatest victory in history, salvation for a dying people – even the priests if they would only turn to God. What a great hope we have. Thanks Kyle for the dramatic reminder.