The ultimate victory of Christ. Over Satan. It was through the cross that Jesus made this victory sure. There, at what appeared to be his final moment of defeat, Jesus turned the tables and won his greatest victory. Paul puts it like this–
Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15).
He is probably thinking here of the Roman custom of allowing certain victorious generals a ‘triumph’ through Rome, a solemn procession through streets adorned with garlands and lined with people. First came the magistrates and Senate, followed by trumpeters, the spoils, sacrificial animals and captured prisoners.
The victorious general, regally dressed, would ride in a chariot adorned with laurel. The prisoners were usually put to death, and the ceremony was concluded with a feast.
In this way, says Paul, Christ Jesus ‘triumphed’ over demonic powers. He put them to open show. He thoroughly despoiled them.
And because of this we too can be victorious over them.
The triumph of Christ was the more remarkable because initially it looked as though he had lost the battle. He was the one who was tortured and crucified.
But remarkably, he turned the tables by rising again from the dead and ascending into heaven!
The conquered became the conqueror.
To read more on this topic see Living in the Image of God, Barry Chant (Miranda: Tabor, 2012 available in eBook and Paperback) from which this edited extract is taken.