Eric W. King ~ TSW, "The Shepherds Way": THE CROSS AND THE VICTORY OVER THE POWERS OF EVIL

THE CROSS AND THE VICTORY OVER THE POWERS OF EVIL

by Bruno Sebrechts

Christ humbled himself, which resulted in his glory (Heb 12:2; John 12:28). The powers of darkness grabbed the power, which became their disgrace (Luke 22:53; John 12:31). Christ conquered, since the battle was not about visible power or short-term results but rather about truth, wisdom and long-term benefit.

Calvary combined victory over the powers with their exposure to the spiritual world. The Bible teaches us that there is much more going on behind the scenes than we can observe. This was already evident in the sufferings of Job, whose endurance on earth brought shame to Satan in heaven.

But in what sense did they suffer a public defeat? When Christ walked the earth, we got previews of the demonic humiliations, such as when they fearfully submitted themselves to Christ or when they rushed with the swine into a lake. But in the sufferings and death of Christ, their deceptive nature became apparent.

When Jesus accused the people in the temple of being murderous and doing the will of the devil, they accused him of being demonized and he fled from their presence because they threatened to stone him (John 8:44–59). Jesus said that they would understand him after he was crucified (John 8:28).[1] Paul indeed writes about the crucifixion: "the powers … he made a show of them openly" (Col 2:15).

The demonic powers that dominated the secular and religious world were revealed at Christ's trial and execution. The Pharisees’ religious system was exposed as an ally of evil powers. The Jewish leaders seeking Jesus’ death refused to enter the palace of Pilate to avoid ceremonial uncleanness (John 18:28). Their false piety became openly visible. They agitated the people to turn themselves completely against Christ (Matt 27:23–25). Even Pilate realized that the high priests acted only out of envy (Mark 15:10).

Even the wrong motives of the disciples were revealed. During the Last Supper, they were quarrelling about which of them should be the greatest (Luke 22:24); shortly afterwards, they deserted him (see Matt 16:21–22).

After Jesus’ death, the masks of the chief priests fell off completely. The Jewish council used blatant lies and vulgar bribery to cheat the secular ruler, purely to maintain their position (Matt 28:12–13). These events exposed and humiliated the strategies of hidden evil powers: “Stripped … he made a show of them openly.” [2] The demonic masquerade was revealed; their false authority was broken.

This was also seen in other events: in Judas’s remorsefully trying to return the pieces of silver after seeing that Jesus had been condemned (Matt 27:4); in the shame that caused those who had been shouting for Christ to be crucified to suddenly begin beating their breasts; in the confession of the centurion who then glorified God (Luke 23:48); and in the dismay of the soldiers who suddenly realized that they had crucified the Son of God (Matt 27:54).

Notice how the disciples began to change. At first, they were confused and shattered, but then they kept praying in unity until the day of Pentecost.

The serpent in Eden had generated confusion about God’s truthfulness, faithfulness, and goodness. The cross removed this confusion by unmasking the prince of this world and revealing him to be a rogue and a cowardly murderer. The crucifixion also revealed God’s patience, goodness, and astonishing capacity for sacrificial love, and demonstrated how human beings utterly fail when following their own perceptions. Whoever realizes these things will accept God’s authority and will desire to trust him more and more.

Death and Darkness Conquered

The Gospel of Matthew describes the moment of Christ’s death: “Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split” (Matt 27:51–52). Much has already been written about how the physical temple lost its function after its torn veil and how it symbolizes free access for the believer to the heavenly throne.

But what about the earthquake, the rending of the rocks, and the opening of the graves? These declare that Christ’s death had broken the bands of death forever, destroying the foundation of the authority of the prince of this world. They also preview the future when God will once again shake the earth in the birth pangs of a new world (Heb 12:26–28).

The ultimate humiliation for the forces of darkness is that by putting Christ to death, they never suspected that they were fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. And by being faithful to the cross, Christ demonstrates that none of the enemy’s weapons can remain successful. He unveils that everything previously announced—but never fully understood—has now been realized. What had been seen only as a shadow could be known in its reality, now that Jesus had laid the foundation for the salvation and victory: “For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood …” (Rev 12:10–11).

All this corresponds with the messages of the prophets about the victory at the end of the exile in Babylon. Ezekiel described the end of Israel’s exile as a resurrection from death (Ezek 37), resulting in victory over all enemy powers (Ezek 37–39). Christ’s crucifixion and death were in a sense the ultimate exile that he took upon himself on our behalf (see Isa 53).

Mercy and Truth

The tension between God’s love and faithfulness to humanity and his incorruptible truth—revealed in his word—was removed through the cross, and justice and peace were reconciled, as was foretold: “Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven” (Ps 85:10–11). God provided peace without denying justice. After his death, Christ would not have to turn his back on the world and close the door behind him. The crucial question, from a human point of view, was not whether God could raise Jesus’ body from physical death, but whether he still wanted to do so. His answer was clear: In Christ’s resurrection, God offered a clear signal of hope for all humanity (Acts 26:23).

God Raised Christ: God's Stamp of Approval on His Work of Redemption

The resurrection of Christ was unique and so much more than, for example, the resuscitation of Lazarus. Since God created the heavens and the earth through his word, his ability to raise Christ from the dead is not surprising. The special significance of this event is that God demonstrates his approval of Christ’s holiness (Acts 2:27), the authority of his claims (Acts 17:31), and the legitimacy to lead others as their Savior into new, eternal life (Acts 3:15). For he has conquered the curse of death by dying with a mortal, weak body, and by being raised with same body—but now renewed, glorious, and immortal.

Jesus’ resurrection opened the gates to a new world, with Jesus as the trailblazer, pioneer, and leader of his followers. As Messiah, he had declared that he was the way and the resurrection for all who would believe in him (John 11:25; 14:6). He rose from the dead as the “firstfruit” of those who would be brought from death to eternal life (1 Cor 15:20).

The “Supreme Court” of the universe—the sum of all God's ordinances and rulings—declared in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ that he was morally and principally entitled to start a new world, a new creation. Christ was condemned and crucified for his claims to be the Messiah and the unique Son of God (Matt 26:64-66). His resurrection implies a divine vindication; otherwise God—who raised him—would be guilty of condoning false claims: "God exalted him to be a Prince and a Savior, to give … remission of sins” (Acts 5:31; cf. 1 Cor 15:17). A good administrator will only appoint a properly qualified executor, and here the infallible God adds his signature under Christ’s finished work, declaring that he is the perfect Life-Giver for all who will follow (Rom 6:4-10; 8:11: 1 Cor 15:45-49). [3]

Christ’s message and promises were validated by his resurrection, and for six weeks he appeared to his disciples, explaining them the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). The powers of darkness on earth would not be wiped out immediately. Their complete doom and humiliation will come at the end, as God allows them to reveal their full character. The followers of Christ have their share in this work of humiliating the evil powers when they confirm the extraordinary victory of Christ by their faith and sufferings.[4]

Unbelievers do not share this victory, because they are imprisoned with chains of ignorance and spiritual blindness. In a legal sense, the dark powers are fully defeated and disarmed, but while their own weapons are destroyed, they eagerly use whatever weapon they still get from humanity.[5] On the individual level, their power is broken wherever they are confronted with faith in the victory of Christ. The ball is now in the court of humanity.

This article is available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Chinese, Russian, Arabic and Farsi. Contact me via my website.

A general treatment of the theme of spiritual deliverance is found in my book: "Light In Our Darkness, Essentials of Spiritual Deliverance" – Bruno Sebrechts.
Humble Joy Publishing ISBN 9789083136400.
Spanish Edition ISBN 9789083136417.

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