One of the favorite hymns we sing is “Victory in Jesus,” but I wonder if we really know what that means?
Victory by definition is the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist. As a culture, we caught up in this word – victory – as we go through life. I thought I would ‘google’ the word and quickly discovered 451,000,000 hits. It would seem everyone wants to attach themselves to this word – victory.
There are countless things named Victory Something-or-other: a record company, a beer, a television show, a movie, a church, a dry cleaner, a theater, a magazine, a car dealership, a museum, a cruise ship, a hiking trail, a hotel, and on and on. It would not be hard to conclude that victory is at least one of the most common things in the world or possibly one of the most important things.
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes: So what do people get for all their hard work? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night they cannot rest. It is all utterly meaningless (2:22-23).
For all of our efforts to make victory so important, the reality is that for each of us we are far more aware of the agony of defeat than we are the thrill of victory. Reality is that people rarely and infrequently achieve victory in their lives. As a result we have an inner longing for victory in our lives. Perhaps that is why we follow our sports team with such zeal – it is our vain attempt to experience victory even if only as a spectator. And at the very least that’s why people seemed to be drawn to anything connected with the word – it allows us to somehow connect our lives with victory.
Paul wrote, How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 15:57
As a group of people who have been given victory, why is that we don’t act, look, or live victorious lives? How is it that we who have been given victory, still live with the agony of defeat? Perhaps you can relate to those moments in life that are agonizing, that leave you empty and defeated? What can you do in those moments to reclaim victory, to be refilled?
Let me tell you a story from the Gospel of John Chapter 20:1-18:
Mary went to the Garden Tomb on Easter Morning. She went defeated with a heavy heart. She wasn’t just mourning the death of a beloved friend. She was caring with her the memory of the cruel death of the one person who had done more for her than anyone else in the world. Jesus had treated her with dignity and respect. Jesus had seen potential in her and cultivated it. Jesus had defended her when others criticized.
Mary was a woman who had grown accustomed to scorn and ridicule. I can guess that at one time or another, she believed she would never be treated with love and kindness. Now, the one person who had shown her love and kindness was dead – surely all was loss and that life was gone forever! I would love to really know what she was thinking as she made her way to the garden. Was she replaying all the unforgettable moments with Jesus in her mind? Was she boiling with anger over how Jesus had been treated? Was she wondering what would become of her life now that her best friend was gone?
Whatever was on her mind, the only thing she wasn’t thinking was “Jesus is alive.” There is not even a smidge of hope when she encounters the tomb with the stone rolled away. Her first response is “Who stole the body?!” After all with all the other indignities, the theft of his body would just fit. Defeat has a way of heaping on more defeat doesn’t it?
She reported her discovery to Peter and John and finds herself again at the tomb – weeping in despair. Suddenly it is reported that two angels appeared and asked her why she was crying. She turned to answer them, but instead she saw a man whom she thought was the gardener. How could she not have recognized Jesus?
Perhaps this will help you 'see': The other day I was at the mall looking through the men’s clearance shirts. Suddenly I noticed there was a woman standing next to me that I had noticed before and it wasn’t anyone I knew. She began to talk to me …. “Oh, I like this one. It’ll go with your new Dress Slacks. But it looks a little small for a large. Do you think it will fit?” I was stumped. I didn’t know what to say. Before I could answer, the woman turned and looked at me – by the look on her face I thought she was going to pass out in horror! She fumbled an apology, hurriedly placed the shirt on the rack, and took off at a pace I am sure was not normal!
She saw me, but she didn’t see me. The place was well lit. This was no dimly lit garden in the shadows of morning. It is possible to see someone without really seeing them. These things happen when you are lost in your world – self-indulged. That is where Mary was – that is why she didn’t recognize Jesus. What follows is one of my favorite moments in the Bible:
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
I imagine Mary running to Jesus – tears running down her cheeks – Grabbing Him in a huge bear hug that won’t let go. Mary had no idea – nor did she care at the moment – about the theological implications of the moment she was now forever a part of. That’s the thrill of victory! That is our victory. Our victory is complete. Our victory is not partial. Our victory is not a moral victory. Our victory is total and complete.
Death is swallowed up in victory I Corinthians 15:54 NLT
He died once to defeat sin, and now lives for the glory of God. Romans 6:10 NLT
Most victories are only temporary. Tonight’s SuperBowl will end and discussions of who will win next year will immediately begin. The victories we so ardently celebrate are temporal. Jesus’ victory is once and for all – Neverending!
He is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him Hebrews 7:25 NLT
This victory is available to each of us. So many things in this world are restricted. You have to have a ticket – a membership – the right clothes – the right status – not this victory. Everyone has access. This victory was viewed by all in the open. This isn’t a victory that was achieved with no audience. Paul wrote of it and said if you don’t believe me talk to the people who also witnessed it. This isn’t a made up story fabricated by a few individuals.
HOWEVER, Jesus victory is conditional. It is our victory to share in but we must respond.
This is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. So whoever had God’s Son has life; whoever does not have His Son does not have life. I John 5:11-12 NLT
HOW DO WE RESPOND? To respond is to believe:
Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. Acts 5:14 NLT
To respond is to be changed:
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:6 NLT
To respond is tell the story:
But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20 NLT
To respond is to persevere
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. I Peter 4:12-13 The Message
Life will be difficult. Life will have its moments that leave us empty – wanting more – needing more. Life will leave you at times, wondering where God is in the moment. Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us Romans 8:37 NLT
I like that translation and the word – overwhelming. Victory in Jesus is not something that is achieved – barely, or by the skin of your teeth, or by a close call. This victory is complete, total, and overwhelming.
The next time someone asks, “Are you going to Heaven?” Don’t just shrug your shoulders and say, “I hope so.” That’s not my response. Shouldn’t be yours. We have victory – victory in Jesus - total and complete. And when you become a part of that victory, the defeats of this life – don’t last long and the moments of defeat that leave you empty – quickly turn to moments of overflowing joy in the victory that is ours through Jesus Christ.
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