The victories of Jesus (3)

Saturday 1 May 2021

The victories of Jesus (3)

When I saw him (the Son of men), I fell at his feet as if dead. He then put his right hand on me, saying : Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and hell. Revelation 1:17, 18

For the Savior's victory to be complete, it was still necessary that Satan's stronghold, death, be attacked and his keys taken from him (see Hebrews 2:14). Jesus enters into this dark realm of death. The very creation is moved by it, for the earth trembles, the rocks are split and graves are opened (Matthew 27: 51,52). His death is not an end, but a necessary step before the triumph of the day of his resurrection.

But why was this triumph not made public ? We think of the conclusion of the parable of the rich man and of Lazarus, where the Lord declares : If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, even if someone is resurrected (Luke 16:31). This statement was verified during the resurrection of Jesus : he returned from the dead and yet men still refuse to believe ! Having been rejected and condemned by the people and their leaders, Jesus only appeared after his resurrection to his friends and disciples (1 Corinthians 15: 4-7), as he had said (John 14:19). He will have to be seen by his enemies someday, but this public manifestation will be judgment for them (Matthew 24:30 ; Revelation 1: 7). Until then, repentance and remission of sins must be preached to all nations in Jesus' name (Luke 24:47). The results of Christ's work in the time of grace far exceed what they could have been in a public manifestation in judgment on the day of his resurrection.

Yes, Jesus is victorious :

- In his humiliation during his life,

- In his suffering in Gethsemane,

- In his death at Golgotha,

Source (Pleasing the Lord)