- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
DAY 21
Colossians 2:14-15
“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
This was the day, marked on the calendar of God from all eternity, when Satan’s head would be bruised and his kingdom shaken to the core. Appearances were going to be deceptive. What seemed to be a day of total tragedy and defeat for the Son of God was actually going to be a day of utmost triumph, for on that day, through the shedding of Immanuel’s blood, the gates of heaven were flung open for millions who were going to believe in Him and Satan’s grasp on mankind was irreparably shattered.
It certainly didn’t appear that way as the procession made its way from Pilate’s headquarters to Calvary. A shouting mob surrounded the pathetic figure of the Lord Jesus who was so weakened by the ordeal through which He had passed, that He fainted under the weight of the cross. To them it appeared to be the disastrous end to a wonderful life. The same was true as the Lord was nailed to the cross and stood up between two murderers for the amusement of the gawping populace. Indeed, the whole scene appears one of disaster.
It could hardly have been worse! Stripped of all dignity, suffering in agony, bearing the sins of His people, (though this was certainly not known by the scoffing crowd), calling out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”, it certainly seemed to be a catastrophic death, as planned by the Jewish religious authorities.
But suddenly the sun was darkened, as if it wanted to hide the shame of its Creator. This must have caused a question mark in the minds of the crowd. Darkness in the middle of the day! What was happening? Then there was the cry from the lips of the Saviour, “Father forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” They expected shouts of cursing and recrimination from crucified people, but here was a Man asking God to forgive His tormentors. Next they heard His words to the penitent sufferer beside Him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise!” It was hardly a cry of defeat!
Another dramatic event took place at the moment when the Lord actually died. The heavy curtain, known as the veil of the temple, was suddenly rent asunder and this was no action of human beings because it was torn from top to bottom. Imagine the concern of the priest who discovered it!
So although the chief priests had got what they wanted, there were one or two unanswered questions in their minds as they retired that night and there were going to be hundreds more in three days’ time! Their problems had by no means been solved!