Luke 24
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He was hailed and recognized as King. But what followed appeared as certain death and defeat where any hope of deliverance was sealed by a stone. But God’s ways are not our ways and what looked like the end to all the disciples faith was actually the very beginning of God’s promise of eternal life. (John 12, John 3:16)
Before a King can rule and be sovereign in the life of His subjects, He has to redeem them. Jesus with His own blood sacrifice laid upon God’s altar of judgment paying the full ransom for our souls. He purchased with His own blood those who were enslaved to sin and then set them free. (Romans 3:22-26, Romans 6)
But those who were once slaves and then servants are now called children of God. And not only the children of God but soon to be the perfect Bride of Christ whom the Father has called by His unconditional love.
(John 15:15, 1 John 3:10, Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-9, Isaiah 54:5, Revelation 21:9, 2 Corinthians 11:2, John 3:291)
We see throughout scripture how defeat is turned into victory. The patriarch, Joseph was given the promise through a dream he would someday reign, even over his brothers. What transpired later appeared to be just the opposite of that promise when his brothers conspired to Kill him, but instead sold him into Egyptian slavery. As a slave, Joseph prospered in Potiphar’s household but then was accused by his wife of rape. He ended up in prison having twice escaped the threat of death. There in prison he prospered again as he held onto the promise of God. Then when it looked like he may have a chance to be released by interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants, he instead was forgotten. When he was remembered after 2 years, he was brought before Pharaoh and interpreted his dream concerning a great famine in Egypt. He went on to save Egypt and his whole family and the brothers who betrayed him by managing the distribution of stored wheat. So thus, his defeat turned out to be actually the very tool God used to deliver and save. (Genesis 37, 39-46, Romans 8:28, Psalm 66:10-12)
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the evidence of God’s awesome faithfulness and His Son’s awesome love and commitment to do the will of God which always results in certain victory in the midst of defeat. (Romans 5:6)
He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Go tell it to the world all who believe and have eternal life, because Jesus is no longer dead and neither are those who know Him.
