The victories of Jesus (2)

Friday April 30, 2021

The victories of Jesus (2)

Since these children have the human condition in common, he (Jesus) also shared it, in a similar way. Thus, by his death, he was able to render impotent the one who wielded the power of death, that is to say the devil, and free all those whom the fear of death kept their life in slavery. Hebrews 2:14, 15

Jesus' service on earth comes to an end, but where are the fruits of victory ? A small number of men followed him, but none really understood the meaning of his ministry.

The last evening ends with a very mysterious journey for the disciples, beyond the Kidron torrent. Upon entering the Garden of Gethsemane (the word means "oil press"), Jesus is gripped with sorrow even to death (Mark 14:34). He tells his disciples this and asks them to watch with him (Matthew 26:38). But they fall asleep. Satan seems to be on the alert, ready to seize the opportunity he has been waiting for since the temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:13). No one can understand the intensity of this scene where in the anguish of battle... his sweat became like lumps of blood falling to the earth (Luke 22:44). The soul of Jesus is as if crushed, like olives when oil is extracted from them. But he emerges victorious by his urgent prayer.

Satan had wanted to put the Lord to death, but now he is changing his strategy : he wants Jesus to refuse to die and carry out the divine plan. He uses Peter who chooses to draw the sword to defend his Master. The Lord asks him to sheath and triumphs with this one word : Shall I not drink the cup which the Father gave me to drink ? (John 18:11).

Satan, then, wants Jesus to use his power to come down from the cross, so that his perfection is nullified by an act contrary to the will of his God. As if the mockery of the crowd was not enough, Satan's helpers issue an outrageous challenge to God himself : He trusted in God ; may God deliver him now, if he loves him (Matthew 27:43). But our Savior decided to go through with the work entrusted to him by the Father. No part of victory is left to Satan.

The Savior's accomplishment on the cross brings his redemptive work to an end.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)