Many so-called victories in this world are partial at best. Take our invasion of Iraq, for example. Did our air and infantry forces demonstrate superiority over the enemy? Yes. Did our armored vehicles roll from the border straight into Baghdad without even tapping the brakes? Yes. Did Saddam’s statue get torn down to the hoots and hollers of a grateful population? Yes. All of these things enabled us to claim victory. The problem is that we still had to fight insurgents while trying to help Iraq’s infant democracy stand on its own two feet. As many pundits have observed, we won the war just fine. It’s winning the peace we’re struggling with. So far, we have had to be content with a partial victory.
There are many times in this life when a partial victory, though disappointing, is still better than no victory. But when it comes to our battle with death, a partial victory is not only unacceptable, it’s impossible. Death has to be defeated completely or not at all! And that is exactly what Jesus did. His victory over death rendered death thoroughly impotent. His victory over death will never have to be won again. And every one of us has access to this victory!
The cross and the vacant tomb are the visible symbols of the greatest victory every won. It is a victory over sin, death and hell. And, as the apostle Paul put it in I Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Pray with me…. Almighty God, we praise you, more than anything else, that over death we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We thank you for the cross and the empty tomb…. the evidence that we will live evermore because of Jesus. In His strong name we pray, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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