November 21, 2004

THE DISARMER OF THE ENEMY

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15, NIV).

In ancient times, the victorious king in war would disarm the defeated army, strip the defeated soldiers of their military insignias and uniform, and make a public spectacle of them by parading them in the city before the jeering crowds. Alluding to this practice, the apostle Paul declared that at the cross, Jesus defeated Satan and his forces and disarmed them and made a public spectacle of them (see Colossians 2:15). The cross was the pivotal point in the great conflict between the forces of good and the forces of evil. As F. F. Bruce puts it: "The shameful tree has become the victor's triumphal chorus."--The New International Commentary on the New Testament, p. 111.

Calvary was Satan's Waterloo. Christ emerged the mighty conqueror when He shouted, "It is finished!" "By His cross Jesus Christ stripped from the principalities and powers of darkness both their robe of office and authority as princes of this world, and their armor of strength in their warfare against right."--SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 205.

Although "at present we do not see everything subject to Him" (Hebrews 2:8, NIV), we have the guarantee that because Christ has defeated and disarmed the enemy at the cross, all creation will ultimately be liberated from its bondage to decay and be brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Ellen G. White writes, "He [Jesus] spoiled principalities and came forth to take again His life that He laid down for us. He ascended on high, having led captivity captive and received gifts for men."--Our High Calling, p. 20.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because You have decisively defeated and disarmed the evil one, I too am more than a conqueror through my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.