Victory Parade

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14) 

 

Victory parades are not a modern invention. A famous ancient parade was the Roman Triumph, in which victorious generals led a procession of their armies and captives through crowded streets. 

 

Such parade imagery was likely in Paul’s mind when he wrote to the Corinthian church thanking God for leading believers as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession (2 Corinthians 2:14). I find it fascinating that in this imagery, followers of Christ are the captives. However, as believers we’re not forced to participate, but are willing “captives,” willingly part of the parade led by the victorious, resurrected Christ. As Christians, we celebrate that through Christ’s victory, He’s building His kingdom and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). 

 

When we talk about Jesus’s victory on the cross and the freedom it gives believers, we help spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14). And whether people find the aroma to be the pleasing reassurance of salvation or the odor of their defeat, this unseen but powerful fragrance is present everywhere we go. 

 

As we follow Christ, we declare His resurrection victory, the victory that makes salvation available to the world. 

 

What does Jesus’s victory on the cross mean to you? How are you living out the power of His resurrection? 

 

I pray you are blessed by this just as I was and I pray after reading this devotion you are encouraged to march with confidence, declaring His resurrection victory. Choose to live out the power of His resurrection today. Jesus is our victorious King! As children of The King we are victorious! 

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is Romans 12:3