By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Victory That Looks Like Defeat

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So many times we view victory by the score at the end of the game, whether a team wins or not. Victory can also look like closing a deal or a report of remission in a person who has cancer. While these are all victorious moments, the definition of victory when applied to the cross would not fall into the world’s definition of victory. Death is not seen as victory, but defeat.

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19:30 English Standard Version 

When I read the words “It is finished,” I think it is done, I have breathed my last breath, death has encompassed me, or I completed what I came to do. The interesting part about this scene is if this was the end of the story, the world may say Jesus failed at his task that he set out to do because he died, he fell short of victory.

Suffering and victory cannot be separated; we cannot have a victory if there is no suffering. One depends on the other to be a possibility. Jesus’ death was the suffering that was necessary to become victorious. He had to die and suffer to bring victory.

“And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.'” Mark 16:6 ESV

Jesus was victorious, and because of the victory, we can also share in the win. It doesn’t mean we will escape hard situations but instead see the sufferings as sharing in the ways Jesus lived on earth. Jesus is a model for how to live in victory even if we are suffering.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

Peace be with you as you go into your day and week that you can know that the irritation, hardships, and struggles of life are a shared experience with the Creator of the Universe.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado