Rex Is Dethroned

The promise God made has been fulfilled. Christ reigns as our substitute. He took our place in that dirty parade to the cross. He bore our guilt and shame. And his reign permeates our lives. We died with Christ; we were crucified with Christ; we rose with him; we are seated with him in heaven. When Christ died, he died for us. When he rose, he rose for us: “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Christ Jesus as our eternal Rex. He has overthrown the tyrant, Death. Christ conquered death by enduring it himself. He descended to hell, but he did so as King of kings. Death cannot keep us from God’s blessings. Death is no longer a barrier, but a bulkhead. A bulkhead is a structure that is built over an opening to keep it from collapsing. Bulkheads are often built over stairways or elevator shafts. Jesus, our eternal Rex, has transformed death into his bulkhead. Death is now what our Savior uses to hold open the gates of paradise. Rex Death is Christ’s doorstop!

Those doors are open for us. The reason is that we’re now royalty. We’re heirs to life. We have a free invitation to our Savior’s royal ball. That’s the glory awaiting us in heaven. We are dressed appropriately. We don’t have tuxedos or ball gowns. Instead, we are masked in Jesus’ blood and righteousness. We’re able to attend the glorious ball in heaven, but that also means we’re part of the parade right now. We are able to parade Christ in our lives. We let his banners fly, just as Paul declares: “how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”

Some of you may have had to the chance to ride on a float in a parade. That’s quite an honor and privilege. The rest of us might never be more than mere spectators at a Mardi Gras parade. But that doesn’t matter. We are part of an even greater spectacle. By God’s grace, we parade Christ in our lives. What a gift we have! What a gift to share!

I looked in one of our closets the other day and found a shopping bag full of beads and other Mardi Gras “treasures.” Those parade throws really don’t serve much of a purpose or satisfy any real need. But think about the truly valuable “throws” that we can offer to people in the name of Christ– the hope of forgiveness, life and salvation. We can offer hurting people are real treasure. We can offer people an answer to life’s troubles. We can offer them hope for eternity. What a treasure to throw to anxious souls!

Now, the carnival season may be over for another year. Some may breathe a sigh of relief. Once a year is enough. Jesus, however, makes us part of a celebration that is never-ending. Our lives take on the shape and atmosphere of one huge parade in honor of Christ. We showcase and share Christ’s love with the people in our lives, and, in the process, they are swept up in this carnival with us. So, enjoy the celebration. Death has been dethroned. A new Rex has taken the throne. Christ is our King who rules over all things now and forever. Amen.