Pastor Quinn • March 6, 2022
Crushed: Our Temptation is Crushed by Christ's Obedience
It was a custom known as "battle by champion." Two opposing armies would each send out their best warrior to fight each other. That is what we see this week. The demons send their champion: Satan. Humanity's best warrior, Jesus Christ, steps forward to meet him. In the fight he does not use divine power. He uses the same weapon we have, God's Word.
Because Christ fought the battle against Satan a one of us, he won that battle for all of us. Jesus is our perfect substitute. Even as the devil still seethes in rage against us, we can face him and his temptations unafraid, confident that our champion has already won the victory.
When the Church gathers, it regularly remembers Christ’s ascension. The words “He ascended into heaven” are found in the three ecumenical creeds Christians use to confess their faith. In addition, the Church sets aside a day each year to focus on Christ’s ascension. This is for good reason. Jesus’ ascension marked the fact that his work was complete, in one sense. Never again will a sacrifice for sins need to be made. However, Jesus’ ascension also marks that, in another sense, his work is just beginning. Through the Church, Jesus now proclaims forgiveness of sins throughout the world. The Church consists of people like us who are often weak and timid witnesses for Christ. So, Jesus promised to send us his Spirit to give us power from heaven, that we might take the gospel to the ends of the earth. More, he ascended into heaven and sat down on the throne of God. He lives and reigns over everything for the benefit of his Church.
Conventional wisdom says that joy is a direct result of circumstance. Our disposition is nothing more than the product of events, conditions, and relationships of which our life consists. Therfore, it would seem that for our disposition to change, our circumstances need to change. But Jesus offers a joy that is superior. It is not a product of circumstance, it's a product of Easter. Easter proves that God can take what normally causes people to weep and turn it into what causes people to rejoice. Sin, death, and shame went into Jesus' tomb. Forgiveness, life, and joy came out. Our risen Savior gives us a joy that remains constant in the highest of life's highs and the lowest of life's lows. Because he lives, we have deep and lasting joy.
The world is full of talkers. There are plenty of people who say they care about you. But we are aware of what many of those people will do when it comes time to put those words into action. Jesus tells you in His Word that He cares for you dearly...that He would do anything for you...that He's leading you into the green pastures of paradise. How do you know you can trust Him? Simple. Jesus followed up His words with action. Jesus promised He would die to save you from your sin. He did. Scripture promised the Savior would rise from the dead, proving the payment for sins was complete. It happened. Jesus always does what he says. His every promise fullfiled. Jesus once illustrated that point in a striking metaphor, that of the Good Shepherd. All shepherds use words, calling to the sheep hoping they will follow. What sets the Good Shepherd apart is the fact that His words are followed by action, including His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep. Because He lives, we know Jesus is trustworthy and true.
