Without any doubt whatsoever, the Cross upon which the Lord Jesus Christ died is definitely a symbol of significant victory for all Christians. It is by no means a defeat.
Jesus’ death was absolutely essential to God’s plan to reconcile sinful humanity to Himself. Therefore, the death of Christ on the Cross means that the power of sin and Satan — the arch-enemy of Christians, have been defeated.
The Bible says: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Herein lies the victory of the Cross. Carefully note what the Scripture is saying.
The hymn writer highlights the mighty triumph over sin, death, and the grave that resulted when Jesus rose from the dead. Here’s the last stanza of the well-loved Easter hymn sung by many Christian congregations around the world:
He tore the bars away — Jesus, my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign”
—Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Physical death is a consequence of sin, and sin affects the human body. A person who accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Savior means death is swallowed up in victory because death has now lost its sting for that individual.
William MacDonald writes: “Death holds no terror for them because they know their sins are forgiven and they stand before God in all the acceptability of His beloved Son” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1811).
The prophet Isaiah wrote concerning the imminent death of Christ about seven-hundred years before it occurred: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). This affirms it was God’s intent that Jesus Christ would definitely die for the sins of all humanity. It was also God’s intent that Christ would rise from the dead.
Isaiah also appropriately points out that the death of Christ was necessary because, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Another proof that the Cross means victory instead of defeat is seen in Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians: “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God” (Romans 6:8-10).
To die with Christ in a ‘mutual’ sense means the believer’s “old self” was also crucified “in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin” (Romans 6:6,7).
“Our death with Christ is one side of the truth.” Writes William MacDonald, “The other side is we shall also live with him. We died to sin; we live to righteousness. Sin’s dominion over us has been shattered; we share Christ’s resurrection and life here and now. And we shall share it for all eternity, praise His name!”
“Our confidence is based on the fact that the risen Christ will never die again. Death no longer has dominion over Him. Death did have dominion over Him for three days and nights, but that dominion is forever passed. Christ can never die again!” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1702. Thomas Nelson Publishers).
The victory of the Cross has far reaching effects in the Christian life, and service. “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Hallelujah, Praise His glorious Name! Amen.
My sins are forgiven and I’m on my way to heaven.
So I’m pressing toward the goal for the prize ahead;
Having no righteousness of my own, but rather his own,
Which has come in me through faith in Jesus my Savior.
— Geoff Daniels 10/2022