By Pastor Don Schatz

Christus Victor

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“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
I Corinthians 15:54  New International Version

A few weeks ago, my son’s college Alma Mater won a football game against a superior opponent.  It was an upset.  By definition, upsets are unexpected.  Hoped for, perhaps.  But unexpected.  In this instance, the fans swarmed the field.

The crowd was smaller that stood around the Cross of Jesus, as he suffered and died.  No one was dressed in “Team Jesus” colors, cheering him on with chants and pom poms.  No one stormed the field of victory at his death.  Two people did come and remove his body from the cross, placing it instead in a tomb.

What a contrast between these images.  It is even more so when we remind ourselves that both are images of victory.  The one, quite obvious.  The other, not so much.  But in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, death itself has been swallowed up in victory.  Christus Victor.  Christ, the Victor.

In a sporting event, fans will say in elation, “WE WON!”  The team won.  “WE WON” vicariously.  In Jesus, we may say in all truth, “WE WON!”  Because Christ was our substitute, gaining for us what we could not gain for ourselves.  Forgiveness, reconciliation with God and with one another, life eternal.

Take a look in a mirror today.  You will look at a winner.  You won.  You win.  In Christus Victor, you are a winner.  What is eternally true touches this day, and reminds you of your true definition.  Winner.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado