14 day plan

The Crux of the Matter: facets of the cross

Day 5 of 14

NIV

Genesis 3:15

“I will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (ESV) “Now is the judgment of this world; now will [Satan,] the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:31-32 (ESV) “...he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Hebrews 2:14b-15 (ESV)

Reflection: Satan and his Demons

We’ve knelt at the cross from where the Lamb’s life-saving blood courses, and pulses through the veins of the church.

We’ve stood looking up with the angels in anticipation, inspired and charged with spreading the resurrection Good News!

But in some quarters, Jesus’ death and resurrection is all but good news. The Bible describes a slinking scheming, lying, tempting, blinding serpent. A prowling, persistent, hungry, lion. A beastly, bloodthirsty, nightmarish dragon. A whole kingdom of demonic powers for whom Christ-victorious is Bad News.

Christus Victor was always the plan. From way back in Eden, when the Accuser was let loose, Christ’s New Kingdom was on the move. But so were Satan and his demonic powers who oppose God, his purposes and his people. See Satan slink onto the stage of Jesus’ lifetime hissing, skulking, accusing and finagling:

  • Watch him silenced in Jesus’ desert temptations.
  • See him subdued by each disciple that follows Jesus — every decision that choses light over darkness.
  • See him routed with each exorcism performed by Jesus.
  • And on a fateful night, see him permitted, with an awkward kiss to Jesus.
  • Watch him rage with all hell, to the foot of a cross.
  • But as the spotlight on that cross dims and taunts are snuffed … celebrate him impotent!
  • See him and every hollow accusation crushed at the crucifixion of Jesus.
  • And know him disarmed at the resurrection of Jesus.
  • Sin’s deadly venom has lost its sting.

Oh, till the New Kingdom comes, Satan and his minions will rampage, but this is no winning battle. The cross has sealed their fate.

And as for those sealed with the cross, Satan holds no power.

 “In the death of Christ, the powers of darkness did their best to destroy the glory of the Son of God … But instead, they found themselves quoting the script of ancient prophecy and acting the part assigned by God. Precisely in putting Christ to death, they put his glory on display — the very glory that they aimed to destroy. The apex of evil achieved the apex of the glory of Christ.” — John Piper, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

Prayer:

Hallelujah for the good news of the cross!

Heartfelt thanks and honour to you, Christ, my victorious saviour.

Days

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