… he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Summary: The world and our Lord will always have different priorities. God’s way is the way to Light and Life. The world’s way leads to death.
When it comes to finding contenders for “The Most Counter-Intuitive Statement Ever,” this passage might take the cake.
The whole idea of the cross, as far as the Romans were concerned, was to humiliate and torture a person so badly that no one would ever “cross” the Roman authorities again. Think of the cross as a giant billboard reading, “THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!”
Getting nailed to a cross was not considered a sign of triumph.
Yet, Jesus knew it had to be done. He told his disciples time and time again that this was going to happen.
Why?
How does getting yourself tortured and hung on a cross make “a public spectacle” of the powers and authorities who defy God?
Paul tells us that to survive the powers and authorities of this dark world, we have to do what Jesus did and “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Jesus embodies the armor of God. He is truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit, and the Word of God. He is (both present tense and past) the embodiment of Good. In fact, Jesus tells us he is the “light of the world” (John 8:12).
When light comes into a dark place, we can see what is hiding in the darkness. Without the light, we cannot see. The “powers and authorities” of darkness hate the light, because it shows them for what they are.
So how do we “see” this “public spectacle” Paul is talking about?
We have to put on our spiritual “spectacles.”
Looking at the situation in Jesus’ day through a spiritual lens, we see Jesus doing exactly what Paul claims he is doing in this passage. The people who hate Jesus reveal themselves to be children of the devil (John 8:44). Everything they do to try and dishonor and diminish Jesus reveals their lack of honor and integrity.
Allowing people, Jew and Gentile alike, to put him on the cross is the ultimate reveal. Jesus lets us choose between the darkness and the light. Jesus’ triumph is forcing people to choose.
Application: Choose Jesus. Choose the Light.
Food for Thought: What does being able to “see” the public spectacle say about us?
That’s a mighty good devotion. To think that in Christ’s sacrifice He exposed the hearts of the men who crucified Him, I have to ask my self why. I think in exposing them, He showed the people who looked to the religious leaders exactly whom they had placed their trust in, and He also exposed to those same religious leaders the content of their own character. Like you stated, He brought light. And in the same consistency that is found throughout the Gospel of Christ, He gave everyone a choice, and the freedom in choosing. This is not unlike the very thing I have witness Christ doing in the lives of His followers around me, and in myself.
What does being able to “see” the public spectacle say about us?
It’s hard to answer that question without it sounding like some kind of qualifier. I think that if we can “see” the public spectacle we can recognize the love Christ had for all. I have often heard it said “a true friend will tell you the truth.” Even in the injustice that He allowed to be perpetrated on Himself, He gave them the truth of themselves. I have to wonder if some recognized that truth and turned from lies. It speaks to immeasurable power in love. It shows us that no matter what the world throws at us, in love, God will turn it to good.
Philippians 1:9-10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Chris,
You’ve touched on an important point. If we can see the spectacle, we are able to see past the lies.
Thank you for the great devotion brother. I like how you pointed out that the triumph of the cross would have seemed like total failure and humiliation to the world of that time. God often takes what is most humble and despised by the world to show His power and glory.
And thank you CH for the great comment. I agree that it is hard to answer this question. I thought you answered it well.
If we understand the spectacle that God used, then I think it simply means that through His word and Spirit, God has opened our eyes to His truth and His salvation. But it is not about us or our accomplishment, it is about Him and his grace and mercy.
Thanks, Rich!
Yes! When God opens our eyes, we can “see” the reality of Truth, Light and God’s way.
What does being able to “see” the public spectacle say about us?
Great job to you Jeff! And thanks to Chris and Rich for your comments!
Looks like we are all on the same page.
To make a public spectacle of means to cause someone to suffer public disgrace or shame– “to disgrace in public.”
At the time of His crucifiction, Jesus has just spent approximately 3 years, teaching with words and demonstrations of His powers as given by God.
By submitting to His Fathers will over His own, Jesus is physically demonstrating His entire spiritual message revealed in the Bible. The public disgrace will be coming to all those claiming righteousness, as they live in self-righteousness.
Jesus demonstrated submission to God as He experienced mocking and abuse, a painful physical death, the total rejection of self-righteous men, His brief, and first separation from His Father God, as HE took upon Himself the sins of all mankind.
With His crucifixion we see His total submission to His Father. He fulfills prophesy and teaches by example as He refuses to compromise, allowing the sinful to crucify the sinless, and experienced a brief but total separation from God, for the sinful, US.
Psalm 22:1-8, Matthew 27:46, My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Jesus chose to die in obedience to the Fathers Will over His own.
Luke 22:42, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus teaches through submission to God.
Jesus made a public spectacle of those feeding their flesh as they chose giving their temporary flesh housing priority over their eternal spiritual life.
Jesus triumphed as He in submission to God, used His free will to obey God.
Jesus gave His life, paid the price for our sins, not the sins of the self-righteous.
Jesus is available to all, but only given to the humble over the self-righteous.
At His voluntary crucifixion, Jesus elevates, provides for the poor, and makes a public spectacle of the self-righteous rejectors of truth.
Thank you, Ron!
I like your point that “Jesus teaches through submission to God.”
Jesus teaches through everything he does (which all happens because he is submitting to God). Even in his death on the cross he is teaching us about what real life is and what is important about that life.
Excellant point young man!