Bible League: Living His Word And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.— Colossians 2:15 NIV A great victory has happened. It happened at the cross of Jesus Christ. Indeed, it happened through the cross. Although it happened in that particular place, it has important implications and powerful repercussions that have been reverberating throughout the heavens and the earth ever since. What are they? For one, the powers and authorities have been disarmed. "Powers and authorities" in this context refers to the ranks of fallen angels under the leadership of Satan. Previous to what happened at the cross, these powers and authorities exercised virtually unchallenged spiritual dominion over the earth. They ruled over the hearts of human beings and blinded them to the truth. At the cross, Jesus disarmed them. That is, He defeated them and rendered their spiritual weapons ineffective. Although they still try to use them, they can't compete against the weapons of our warfare—the weapons that the Apostle Paul lists in Ephesians 6. Second, the powers and authorities have been made into a public spectacle. The Roman generals who led their armies to victory were given a public, triumphal procession through Rome with their humiliated enemies trailing behind them. Jesus Christ now leads a public, triumphal procession throughout the heavens and earth with his defeated, disarmed, and humiliated enemies trailing behind him. Where can we see this public spectacle? We can see evidence of it whenever evil is forced to retreat from a previous stronghold and whenever sinners are set free from bondage to sin. Jesus Christ triumphed over the powers and authorities by the cross. What they thought was a humiliating defeat for Him was actually the means God used to bring them down from the heights of spiritual power. By the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, made atonement for us before the Father, and set us free from their control. If we believe in what Jesus has done at the cross, if we accept him as the Lord of heaven and earth, then we get to participate in His great victory. We get to participate in His rule and reign from His seat next to the Father in heaven (Ephesians 2:6), we get to participate in His disarming of the powers and authorities, and we get to participate in making a public spectacle of them. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingNumbers 30, 31 Numbers 30 -- The Law of Vows NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Numbers 31 -- The Slaughter of the Midianites and Division of the Spoils NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 9:30-50 Mark 9 -- Jesus is Transfigured, Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit; Who Is the Greatest; Do Not Cause to Sin NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But then I recall all you have done, O LORD;I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. Insight Memories of God's miracles and faithfulness sustained Israel through its difficulties. The Israelites knew that God was capable and trustworthy. Challenge When you meet new trials, review how good God has been to you, and this will strengthen your faith. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 3:16 He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.As the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, the head, so he also, in measure, descends upon the members of the mystical body. His descent is to us after the same fashion as that in which it fell upon our Lord. There is often a singular rapidity about it; or ever we are aware, we are impelled onward and heavenward beyond all expectation. Yet is there none of the hurry of earthly haste, for the wings of the dove are as soft as they are swift. Quietness seems essential to many spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice, and like the dew, his grace is distilled in silence. The dove has ever been the chosen type of purity, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Where he cometh, everything that is pure and lovely, and of good report, is made to abound, and sin and uncleanness depart. Peace reigns also where the Holy Dove comes with power; he bears the olive branch which shows that the waters of divine wrath are assuaged. Gentleness is a sure result of the Sacred Dove's transforming power: hearts touched by his benign influence are meek and lowly henceforth and forever. Harmlessness follows, as a matter of course; eagles and ravens may hunt their prey--the turtledove can endure wrong, but cannot inflict it. We must be harmless as doves. The dove is an apt picture of love, the voice of the turtle is full of affection; and so, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit, abounds in love to God, in love to the brethren, and in love to sinners; and above all, in love to Jesus. The brooding of the Spirit of God upon the face of the deep, first produced order and life, and in our hearts, he causes and fosters new life and light. Blessed Spirit, as thou didst rest upon our dear Redeemer, even so rest upon us from this time forward and forever. Daily Light on the Daily Path Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Revelation 22:5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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