God’s
Greatest Victor
And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, "You who {are going to} destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
We
are more than conquerors in Jesus. As
I pondered the chapters that show the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ I was
so moved. Each time I read them I
am freshly filled with such sadness and such elation in this portrayal of
history’s most significant moment.
This
is the time of darkness ruling God, or at least its attempt to do so.
Betrayed, bound, stripped, beaten, abused, mocked, bruised, bloodied,
humiliated and crucified did the Savior of mankind submit.
All Hell must have danced on Golgotha that day.
For one brief moment in eternity God was in satan’s grasp.
The worst of (our) sin’s penalty was unleashed on Him.
Even the people around Him at the cross, mocked Him saying,
“If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
Jesus was a looser to them – a failure.
Success in this world is measure by numbers of followers, accumulation of
finances and open displays of power. Jesus
had few followers by His side, all but one of the apostles ran for cover.
Jesus was naked, the sum total of His possessions.
Jesus was pinned to a wooden cross and couldn’t get down.
No wonder that the eyes of this world could only see a failure.
But
this huge failure was God’s greatest conqueror – His greatest victor.
satan’s (I decided to not capitalize the enemies name, he doesn’t
deserve the dignity) shredding of the Savior had enduring results, but not the
ones he had imagined. I Corinthians 2:8 says, “Which none of the princes of this
world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory.” The spiritual
assassination of Christ was only the last number in the combination to unlock
eternal salvation’s door. When
the tumblers fell into place, the pearly gates flew open and humanity scurried
into the waiting arms of its Liberator (Jesus) for the first time – without
fear, without any spot or wrinkle of sin.
The greatest victories come in the darkest and loneliest moments. They often don’t even feel like a victory. When you have been mocked, beaten down, abused but reach out and grasp the hand of the Savior you are more than a conqueror. Finding God is the sign of successful people. You are connected to the Almighty. Your place in Eternity is secure and His presence is the air you breathe.