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SHARING IN CHRIST’S TRIUMPH

But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession… – 2 Corinthians 2:14a (NLT)

            Paul uses the language of Rome to describe our position as believers in Jesus Christ. The highest honor that could be paid to a General in the Roman military was a Triumph. The Triumphal Procession was a celebration of a great victory that included a parade with important government and military officials, as well as the spoils of war. Those taken captive were a part of the procession with the conquering General following along with all of his soldiers who joined him in the victory.

            The picture here is of Christ, the Supreme General, leading His great army the Church in a Triumphal Procession. We have become captive to Christ by surrendering our wills to His Lordship. Through our voluntary captivity we experience the victory that He has secured for us through the Cross and Resurrection. With Christ leading the way, we march with Him in commemoration of His triumph over the world. The reality of this truth is greater than the symbol used to represent it. A Roman General’s victory was temporal and celebrated for a moment. Christ’s victory is eternal and cannot be overturned. We rest in the assurance that this parade, in which Christ has invited us to participate, will never end.