Christ Has Triumphed!
The word “triumph” has a very special meaning. It is a powerful term used to describe something more than just a single victory. It speaks of a decisive, overwhelming, and significant group of victories. It is the result of a culmination of many successful battles. Graduation, for example, is a triumph. Passing an individual class is a victory. Graduation is the result of passing many classes. For some, that truly involves a number of battles.
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the triumph of Christ. This triumph is the culmination of many successful battles, battles against the fearsome powers and formidable enemies of the devil, sin, and death.
These enemies had the whole world in their grasp. The successful temptation of the devil in the Garden of Eden had enslaved the world to sin and put it under the penalty of death. Christ fought many battles to undo the victories of the devil, sin, and death. He withstood the temptations of the devil. In His miracles, healing, and proclamations of forgiveness, He won victory after victory over the power of sin to enslave people. He broke the grasp of death, for it could not hold Him. Finally and decisively, He rose triumphant from the grave.
Christ did this all for you. He who was without sin was numbered among the transgressors and suffered the slashing claws and teeth of sin for you. When He said on the cross, “It is finished”, He meant nothing less than that your redemption had been won. You were there reconciled to God, who declared you to have right relationship with God for the sake of Jesus. All that remained to complete the triumph was the resurrection. And that happened on the first Easter morning. For now and always, the triumph is yours in Christ.
The fruits of the triumph are arrayed before you. There is the personal forgiveness of your sins, which Christ won for you once and for all. There is Christ’s loving presence in Word and Sacrament, which strengthens and upholds you. There is hope and joy of eternal life, which gives you confidence for the future. There is the whole armor of God, which protects and defends you, and gives you the Word you need to overcome the devil. There is Christ’s promise of continual intercession for you before the throne of His Father in heaven.
What a cause for rejoicing you have in Christ’s great triumph for you! Live abundantly in that triumph! “Christ has triumphed! He is living! Alleluia!”
Spreading, Serving and Sharing with You,
Pastor Carl