The Triumph of Jesus Christ

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."

2 Corinthians 2:14

The Christian life is a triumphant life, but not the kind of triumph people might expect.  God has given us ultimate victory over sin and death.  There is still a spiritual battle to be fought in the flesh as we remain on earth.  We do not live out our days away from conflict, delighting ourselves with the spoils of the battlefield.  Christians do not receive a golden trophy like an athlete and granted perpetual victory, as if a decision we first made years ago to follow Christ has paved a smooth, easy, downhill path we meander without threat.  Our decision to follow Jesus should be confirmed daily, the joy of the LORD remaining our strength as we trust and obey Him.

When you think of "triumph" or "victory," what comes to mind?  Do you think of a championship celebration, with teammates passing around a trophy as confetti rains down?  Perhaps it is the raising of a flag or banner, like the U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima.  Maybe victory is more a feeling, a profound sense of satisfaction after finally realising an elusive dream.  Victory paves the way for parades, jubilation, and bathing in champagne.  When the Roman Empire ruled, the greatest honour bestowed upon a victorious general was a "Roman triumph."  If the soldiers affirmed their general as having absolute power, and the army had defeated a worthy opponent, the Senate ruled on whether a triumph was in order.  When approved, the victorious "triumphator" would be led by the Senate, musicians, the spoils of war, animals for sacrifice, and the chained captives.  Then the triumphator would join the procession in a chariot pulled by white horses.  His army would follow behind him unarmed as they entered the city, heading towards the temple.  Interestingly enough, the triumphator wore a special toga with palms embroidered on it, and his face painted bright red like the Roman gods.  A great celebratory feast followed.

Paul writes, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ."  When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, it was an event theologians call "the triumphal entry."  Christ's triumphal procession was very different than a Roman Triumph.  Instead of riding a chariot pulled by four white horses, Jesus rode on the back of a donkey no one had previously ridden.  This fulfilled the prophecy written in Zechariah 9:9 which reads, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey."  Jesus did not wear a special embroidered robe, but people placed their coats and palm branches upon the road before Him.  Children and adults rejoiced in Christ's coming into Jerusalem!  Matthew 21:9 says, "Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"  There were no senators who approved this triumph, for it had been ordained by the Most High God.  Jesus did not paint His face red to imitate Roman gods, because all gods are subject to Him.  There were no animals for sacrifice in the procession, because Jesus Christ Himself would be made a sacrifice for sin when He laid down His life on Calvary.

Do you know what triumph looks like?  Christ's greatest triumph was performed in His death.  The triumph for Christians is found only in the cross where Christ emerged victorious.  1 Corinthians 15:55-57 reads, "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  The victory that Christ brings can only be obtained through dying so Christ may live through us.  This does not mean that a Christian must physically commit suicide to obtain this victory.  It means that we are to die to self, crucifying our flesh with its lusts, so Christ may live in us.  The words of Jesus are recorded for all in Luke 9:23:  "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."  The path to eternal triumph must pass through the cross.

A day will come when Christ will return and judge unrepentant sinners.  He came at first in meekness and humility, but will return with fierceness and power foreign to even the most valiant, courageous generals.  Revelation 19:11-16 describes Christ in His glory:  "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

Every person has a choice who they will be in Christ's eternal triumph as He enters into New Jerusalem.  There will be those who will be locked in eternal chains and thrown into the Lake of Fire.  Only regret, shame, utter humiliation, and unthinkable torments will be their comfort in death.  Then there are those who will follow after Christ wearing white, clean robes of righteousness.  They will need no weapon, because Jesus fights for them.  These followers of Christ will rule and reign with Jesus as co-heirs, having been adopted as sons by God the Father.  King David wrote from the eternal perspective of every Christian in Psalm 16:8-11:  "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. ¹⁰ For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  The Christian life is a triumphant life, because God always leads us to triumph in Christ no matter what.  Though we die, yet shall we live.  Jesus is our Saviour, King, and God.  All praise, honour, and thanks be given to Him!