Resurrection...temporary battle, eternal victory

This year more than any other, I've been meditating on Holy Week.  Studying and thinking about all that Jesus lived through before the crucifixion.  I know it by heart, but I've never wanted to dwell there.  Never wanted to think deeply about the pain and the suffering willingly felt out of love for me. The devil wanted to steal, kill, and destroy.  That's been his tactic from the beginning of time.  This last week of Jesus' life on earth was Satan's final, furious attempt to stop God's amazing plan for us.  The devil aimed at all of Jesus' weak human spots.  Betrayal by people with whom He loved and lived.  Mockery of His identity and calling.  Physical torture.  Crucifixion...the most painful way to die.  Separation from God, His Father.  Emotional, physical, and spiritual attacks were launched against Jesus.

Jesus knew what was coming.  He prayed and sweat drops of blood on the Mount of Olives as He prepared with Father God for the days ahead.  He submitted.  He was obedient.  He set His face toward eternal victory, knowing that the battle and the wounds were temporary.

The same is true for us who are Christians.  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  (Ephesians 6:12)  The devil's tactics have not changed.  He is still trying to steal, kill, and destroy.  He lies to us saying that the battle will go on forever and that we will lose.  He is the father of lies...and the exact opposite is the truth.  The battle is temporary and the victory is eternal!  Jesus won the victory at the cross.  The victory is His.  The victory is ours when we have Jesus in our hearts.  The victory was for then, and for now, and for all time.

We will struggle and battle in the human life, but Jesus made a way for us to stand, confident in the victory that is already ours.  He gave us armor and weapons to use as we stand our ground with our eyes on the eternal victory.  (See Ephesians 6.)  Our battles are momentary!  The victory is assured!  Jesus wins forever!