Open Triumph
Today’s Verse:
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. ~Colossians 2:15
A Roman Triumph was a most celebrated event. It gave widespread public acknowledgement of a Roman general’s conquest of a foreign enemy on their soil. A minimum of 5,000 enemy soldiers had to be killed. The entire area had to be conquered and become the possession of Rome. On the day of the celebration, the processional would begin with the state officials and senate; followed by the trumpeters; followed by those who carried the spoils that were taken; followed by those who carried pictures and models of the conquered territory; followed by a white bull that would be sacrificed; followed by the captured leaders, princes, and generals; followed by the lictors with their rods; followed by the priests who carried the censers filled with incense; followed by the general who conquered the new territory; followed by his family; and followed by the army that followed the general into this conquest. It was a celebration that acknowledged an open and decisive triumph. Let us see the triumph that Christ accomplished on the cross.
Christ’s triumph is comprehensive.
First, Jesus blotted, or wiped out, the handwriting of ordinances against us. This refers to the law that points to the fact that we are under the curse and condemnation of sin. Jesus' shed blood wipes out every accusation and every charge against us. Second, Jesus spoiled the principalities and powers. To spoil means to disarm, despoil, or wholly put off. Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross destroyed the power of death. He stripped the devil of his power. He demonstrated that He accomplished triumph over sin, Satan, and death. Jesus' resurrection made an open show of Satan’s defeat.
Christ’s triumph is complete.
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross is a once-and-for-all victory. His death does not have to be reenacted or repeated. Jesus became "the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." His death paid our sin debt in full and satisfied God’s righteous demands for sin completely. His triumph publicly put the works of the devil to shame and announced that the war is over! Salvation for every sinner is complete and can be received through faith in His death for our sins and resurrection from the dead.
Christ’s triumph is continuous.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14a). We are more than conquerors through Christ! We live in victory! There is power in the blood of Christ over Satan. There is power in the blood of Christ for our spiritual protection. You do not need to live a defeated life. Christ always causeth us to triumph. We can triumph over sin. We can triumph over discouragement. We can triumph over anxiety and worry. We can triumph over temptation. We can triumph over our appetites and lust. We can triumph over fear and failure. He always causeth us to triumph. Rest your faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and live your life in continuous triumph: not in your power, but in the power of God. Keep looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, for your victory and triumph.
Have a triumphant God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 17-20