The forces of evil had their day at Calvary. The Son of God, spiked to a cross, was dying. The last ounce of hope in the breasts of the disciples had fled. “We had hoped,” was their sad lament.
Hypocrisy and hatred, injustice and cruelty ruled the day. But sin and wrong never have the last word. Out of the welter and hot confusion of sin’s frustration is to come a new hope—a new day.
The Resurrection message is a guarantee of victory in a world of defeatism. Sorrow, servitude, a curse, death, all came as the effect of sin. In Christ, every enslaving shackle is broken. Yes, is broken!
Listen to the shout that characterizes His final revelation to us: Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:17-18 KJV).
What a complete victory! What a glorious message for us as we travel the dusty road of duty. What a stimulus to our faith as we see arrogant wickedness on every hand. Jesus the Victor is working out His purpose, and soon we shall see the completed pattern.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us into our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Rev. 5:9-10 KJV).
“Cease, cease, ye vain, desponding fear:
When Christ, our Lord, from darkness sprang,
Death, the last foe, was captive led,
And heaven with praise and wonder rang.”
We shall be like Him in the glory world, but His all-inclusive victory makes us like Him here. As He is, so are we in this world. We are to share in His holiness here; we are to be triumphant now. We are to live victorious over Satan’s accusations and temptations in this present evil world. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33 KJV).
Christ is victor. He has made every provision for His followers to live victoriously, to die triumphantly. He came to destroy the works of the Devil. Sin shall not have dominion over you, death need hold no terror, eternity is the home of the soul. All this and more is provided for us in the triumph of Christ’s resurrection.
From The Wesleyan Church Archives
Oliver G. Wilson was former General Editor of The Wesleyan Church. He was elected General Superintendent in 1959, but had a massive heart attack and died on his way to the service of installation.
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