With A Mighty Triumph

I have probably mentioned before in this space that I am a competitive guy. While I can handle losing, I would much prefer to be the victor in any type of game or contest.

I have loved competition from an early age. My older brother and I would play versions of Wiffle Ball, street hockey (in the basement), football, and Frisbee tossing and keep track of who was the best.

As a youth pastor, I loved opportunities to win while playing Foursquare, volleyball, Ultimate, Plungerball, Gaga Ball, Dutch Blitz, and more. If you do not know what all of those are, you have missed out!

To play a game “just for fun” or without keeping score was never an option for me. My wife just doesn’t get it.

I remember when our church hosted big Easter egg hunts. We learned that we had to divide the kids into several age groups because the younger kids would get run over as everyone scrambled to find eggs. No one wanted to lose on an opportunity to get lots of goodies.

As Easter approaches, we recognize that Jesus went through an unimaginable week to provide something that we did not deserve but desperately needed. Because of what Jesus did, we had the opportunity to gain forgiveness and everlasting life.

Things started out well when he was greeted with shouts of praise as he entered Jerusalem. “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

He came humbly and gently on a donkey as he fulfilled one of many prophecies about himself.

In those days, conquering generals were given a “triumphal entry” when they returned to their home city. In these times of celebration and victory, palm branches were often waved. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:36).

This custom showed respect and honor for royalty or conquerors. Flowers, palm branches, or garments would cover the way as they entered in victory.

This is not unlike rolling out the red carpet today or flower petals down the aisle for a bride. We can be certain that not everyone in the crowd understood what was happening or who Jesus was. Yet, many had heard of him.

Some may have gathered for his teaching or witnessed him performing miracles. Though Jesus knew what was on the horizon for him, it was a moment of victory. Leave it to the Pharisees to rain on the proverbial parade.

Teacher, rebuke your disciples (19:39). Let the praise flow. If they didn’t, the stones would. In a short time, the shouts of the crowd would be much different.

Soon Jesus would share a meal with his disciples. In some ways Jesus may have felt like a winner because these men had learned a lot from Jesus and had come a long way.

None of them seemed to have any idea that Judas would betray him. Jesus referred to his body and blood as he broke bread and shared wine. They were bittersweet symbols of victory.

He would wash the feet of his followers to show that they could be spiritually clean. Otherwise, “unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). The consequences are everlasting victory.

Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:3). When Jesus was born, he was called Emmanuel (God with us). As he shared this final meal, he spoke of what was to come.

The cross would mean that God is with us forever. That is the ultimate win.

Our Lord would pray intensely and with anguish in the garden even as the disciples slept.

Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42).

Jesus would soon be betrayed and arrested. That was a big change from the triumphal entry to “Hosannas” a few days before. It sure seemed like defeat was imminent.

Illegal, unfair “trials” would follow. Since he prayed for God’s will, he did not stand a chance. Peter disowned him. Guards mocked and beat him. Barabbas was bad and the best candidate for capital punishment. Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting,

“Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23:20-21). Jesus had not only been innocent, but he was also without sin. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The righteous Son of God would indeed be crucified just as the crowd demanded. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Even in the brutal agony of the cross Jesus was sympathetic to the plight of sinful man. He was forgiveness in bodily form. It is finished (John 19:30). At that point, Satan thought he had won. He is not omniscient.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. It was Friday, but Sunday was coming!

Soon before entering Jerusalem, Jesus had said, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. (John 11:25). Jesus had just raised Lazarus in that context. No doubt Jesus understood clearly that he would be raised on the third day in victory.

He too would live even though he died. When his followers went to the grave that early morning, they would not find his body. He was risen just as he said. Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.

Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is in the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15. 54-57). Oh, victory in Jesus! My savior forever!