VICTORY IN JESUS: THE FINAL BATTLE FOUGHT AND WON
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS YOU WERE AFRAID TO ASK
On June 18, 1815, a watchman stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing anxiously out to sea. At last he saw what he was looking for – a ship sending a message to be relayed to the towns and villages in England.
The watchman strained to see the message, as all of England held its breath, waiting to know the outcome of the war between their military general, Wellington, and the French ruler Napoleon – that ruthless dictator who ruled all of Europe except England, but still posed a threat to England; and now, the final, decisive Battle was being fought at Waterloo to settle the question of England’s freedom once and for all.
The Englishman in the watchtower received the news he had been waiting for; he began to relay the news across the bay via flags to the English people anxiously awaiting the outcome. As the watchman began signaling, a heavy fog rolled in and only two words got through: “Wellington Defeated”. What everybody thought was bad news spread rapidly, causing gloom and sadness to come over the English people. However,
The watchman continued to send his message and, when the fog finally lifted, the full and complete message got through, “Wellington Defeated Napoleon”! What a reversal! Talk about turning a negative into a positive!
On Friday evening of the crucifixion of Jesus, the message received by the followers of Jesus was, “Jesus Defeated”; but on the third day, they learned the rest of the story - and it was startling: They had been wrong in thinking all was lost. Jesus had been right in telling them he would rise from the dead. The good news came through loud and clear: “Jesus Defeated Satan!”
Numerous times Jesus had told his disciples what would happen and why. The essence of what he explained to them comprises the gospel in a nutshell: He was the Messiah . . . He died for the sins of the world according to the Scriptures . . .
The sinner’s response to Jesus must be repentance toward God - for the remission of sins - and acceptance, by faith, of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
However, Q: Did Jesus really have to die for our sins?
Of necessity Jesus had to die! A battle for the souls of mankind had to be fought. Victory over Satan, sin, death and hell had to be won.
Evil could not be allowed to succeed in its attempt to undo God’s plan for God’s people. Good had to triumph over evil! Jesus had to win the battle! So,
Jesus, the Lamb “without spot or blemish”, obediently yet voluntarily fought the battle, not as the hero of a conquering army but, in humility, by taking upon himself, though he was innocent, the sins of the world - then becoming the sacrifice without spot or blemish required for the remission of sins. He “finished” the task!
Then what happened? As Peter said boldly to the Sanhedrin: “This same Jesus, whom you crucified, God raised from the dead!”
Jesus, the beloved Son with whom the Father was well pleased, won the victory - once and for all - over evil, sin, death and hell by rising from the dead!
The Victim became the Victor! To rise from the dead is to win!
And, folks, when you and I were “crucified with Christ”, we died to the reign of sin, we came alive to walk in newness of life!
Our Lord’s Resurrection provided all the evidence needed for establishing the authenticity of the Gospel which his disciples were commissioned to proclaim. However, they would face the question of the authenticity of the Resurrection. And, so do we: Q: Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
Folks, let me state it unequivocally: The Resurrection of Jesus is a fact. The evidence is circumstantial and physical, plus witness testimony.
The argument presented by “resurrection scripture” would stand up in any court of law – if ever adjudicated - due to an abundance of proof and an absence of disproof.
Multiple scriptures speak to the evidence.
Take for example Luke’s account: Luke 24:1-8 . . . 13-15 . . . 30-40 . . .
If you ever wondered about the fact of the Resurrection, wonder no more. Jesus really did rise from the dead. His disciples were “witnesses of these things”.
We also are witnesses because He commissioned us to “make disciples”.
There are the eyewitness testimonies of many individuals who were there when they crucified our Lord and then when He appeared to them after He rose from the dead – “the women” . . . Mary Magdalene . . . the two disciples on the Emmaus Road . . . the Eleven and all those gathered with them when they were together in one place.
And don’t forget the witness of the soldiers who guarded the sepulcher! “The guards shook with fear . . . and fell into a dead faint” (Matthew 28:4).
Personally, I think it had to have been the testimony of these guards, as well as the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, that convinced “a great company of priests” to became “obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).
Don’t you suppose those Jewish priests otherwise would have stood their ground in opposition to this “Jesus movement” IF they could have disproved His resurrection?
The empty tomb they could not explain away, nor could they come up with “counter witnesses” to the resurrection. This is all so intriguing – think about it:
The enemies of Jesus used government power to “seal” the Lord’s fate in a hillside sepulcher with no escape. Pilate issued the order: “Make the tomb as secure as you can, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27-65-66).
Folks, if the Roman authorities said you were dead, you were dead; if these same officials sealed your fate, your fate was sealed; even if you ever found a way of escape, you dared not.
By the same token, if Roman authorities announced to the world that the stone had been rolled away by a supernatural power and that the body of Jesus was no longer in the sepulcher, it had to be so.
Key to belief in the reality of Christ’s resurrection is the transformation of frightened disciples into bold defenders of the resurrection. “They all forsook Him (Jesus) and fled” (Mark 14:50). Then, later, it is said of these same fleers, “And with great power they gave witness to the resurrection” (Acts 4:33).
Furthermore (the clincher):
There is the often-overlooked testimony of secular historians like Ignatius of Antioch, born in 30 A.D., who wrote:
“As for me, I know that even after His resurrection, He was in the flesh. He came to those who were with Peter, and said to them, ‘Take hold and handle and see that I am not a spirit without a body.’
“And as soon as they touched Him and felt His pulse and body, they believed. It is for this reason that they despised death, and even showed themselves superior to death. After His resurrection, He ate and drank with them like anyone else with a body, although in spirit He was one with the Father.”
What the final battle fought and won means to you and me today is what it meant to Peter and all the rest about whom Ignatius testified --- Death is despised by believers because, in Christ, believers are one with the Father.
Thus, Paul said, “If we died with Christ, we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, death no longer has dominion over Him . . . so, Count yourselves alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:8-11).
Enjoy Being Alive to God:
Sit back, relax, calm your mind, still your eyes, breath slowly and observe; enjoy what it is to be alive.
Feel the moment you have, try not to run or hide, embrace all that you are; enjoy what it is to be alive.
Take a minute to ponder all that has been and is gone, let it gently wash over you; enjoy what it is to be alive.
See that God has surrounded your every waking thought, you are never alone; enjoy what it is to be alive.
Fear not that which lies ahead, Jesus Christ died in your stead, He did indeed rise from the dead, soar we now where Christ has led, following our exalted Head, He will come again as He said; enjoy what it is to be alive - unto God, to whom be the glory now and forever! Amen.
