The parade
by Rachael Stelzer
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And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15).
In the ancient world, the winner did something very important at the end of the battle. They paraded the losing monarch and military commanders through the streets of their capital, as part of their grand parade as the conquering hero. They bound them in chains and presented them to their people as proof of their power and as a public spectacle. The people would laugh, spit and jeer at the losing leaders and generally cheer on their victorious forces.
During Good Friday, Jesus was paraded around the capital of Israel in chains. He was mocked, spit upon and jeered. He was humiliated and tortured and made a public spectacle. But he was not defeated.
Now, in the glow of Easter dawn, Jesus is the conquering hero. He is now the one parading the bad guys through the streets and making a public spectacle of them.
And who are they? Pilate? Herod? The chief priests and teachers of the law? The Pharisees? Judas?
No. God knew that these people had parts to play in his passion, but they weren’t the enemy in this global battle. Jesus disarmed ‘the powers and authorities’, the spiritual forces that kept his people enslaved to sin, and defeated them at the cross. This instrument of torture and defeat was Jesus’ secret symbol of power and victory.
Praise to our conquering hero who defeated sin and death for us!
Thank you, risen Saviour, for parading the spiritual forces that kept us bound in sin. You have made a public mockery of the powers and authorities of this world, for you are more powerful than sin and death. We praise you for your love. We glorify you as our victorious King. Amen.
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