He Came, He Saw, He Conquered
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed”. (Luke 4:18, NIV)
The historic wording for the title of this topic is “I came, I saw, I conquered.” “Veni, Vidi, Vici” is a famous Latin Phrase spoken by Julius Caesar in 47BC following his decisive defeat of Pharnaces (2nd), the king of Pontus at the Battle of Zela. Pontus was located in where Turkey is today. The phrase was written on a plaque and the sign carried to remind the Roman people of Caesar’s rapid victories. As one of many Latin phrases that have persisted throughout the history of Western civilization, the phrase is often quoted in music, art, literature and a variety of other contexts. In reality, that phrase belongs to Jesus Christ, not Julius Caesar. For Jesus is the One who came, saw and conquered! He came from the realms of glory. “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). When he came to the earth, he saw what we see today. A ruined creation, a world filled with corruption, deception, disease, rebellion, selfishness, greed, crime, warfare, oppression and hopelessness. A people who are lost and held captive by the evil one. “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) Jesus saw that the evil one has taken humanity captive. And he came to set the captives free, so that we can begin to experience the life for which he made us, eternal life! (John 10:10). Did Jesus come to conquer Caesar and the armies of Rome? That is the kind of messiah the Jews were looking for, they wanted freedom from Rome’s oppression. But Jesus came to defeat someone far more powerful than a Roman emperor. “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Then the devil left him, and angels (from the realms of glory) came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:10-11). Satan is a defeated enemy, he has been conquered by the Son of God. In defeating Satan, Jesus also conquered sin and death. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Jesus came, saw and conquered. He did it for you, me and all of humanity, the lost children of God. He accomplished it by his life, death, resurrection and ascension.
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Honoured From The Majestic Glory
“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” John 12:26 (NIV)
The Queen of the United Kingdom honours her subjects for acts of service and achievement in various activities. Awards are given to individuals from all sections of society who have made a difference in their community. Honours lists are published twice a year at New Year and in mid-June on the date of the Queen’s official birthday. There are several awards. Two of the most well known awards are the O.B.E. and M.B.E. recognising achievements by members of the British public. God also honours his subjects for service in the community of faith—the Church. Jesus said that his Father will honour the one who serves him. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40). To be honoured by God is far greater than receiving an O.B.E. or M.B.E. from the Queen of the United Kingdom. Being awarded an O.B.E. or M.B.E. is a great accomplishment, but it does not compare with being honoured by God for acts of service to others. We too, can make a difference in our community by letting our light shine: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). As the children of God, we are members of a royal household (1 John 3:1-2; Ephesians 2:19). And to be honoured by the Father is a great blessing and privilege. Jesus, the greatest servant of all, has already been honoured. “He received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’” (2 Peter 1:17). As Christ lives in us, and we are in him, the Father is also well pleased with us, the children he loves. For Jesus is our only hope of honour and glory.
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Trinitarian Conversations, Volumes One and Two
October 15, 2013
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Living and Sharing the "Good News"
September 12, 2011
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The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
September 10, 2011
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The Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, and is the perfect revelation of the Father and the perfect representative of humanity. He suffered and died on the cross for all human sin, was raised bodily on the third day, and ascended to heaven. Standing in for all humanity before the Father, Jesus Christ provides the perfect human response to God. Since He died for all, all died in Him, and all will be made alive in Him.
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