August 24 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 24 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST, I GLORY

Colossians 2:15 “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

The Jewish leaders thought they were in charge.  The ministry of Jesus was creating a problem for them.  Therefore, they determined the only way they could hold on to their power and continue to rule over the people of Israel was to kill Jesus.  On Good Friday they accomplished their goal.  They whipped up the crowd in Pilate’s courtyard to intimidate him to permit Jesus’ crucifixion.  The Jewish leaders thought that Jesus’ death on Calvary was the end of His threat to their leadership.

Colossians 2:15 says that Jesus, by means of Calvary’s cross, “disarmed the powers and authorities. . .”  These powers and authorities were not the Jewish leaders, Pilate, nor even Caesar.  They were Satan, the world, and the sinful flesh of human beings.  By Jesus’ death on the cross He overcame all of these workers of evil and generators of sin.  He remained faithful to His Father.  He did all His Father required of Him to overcome sin and death and to do so in your behalf.

Jesus “triumphed” over all who would separate you from your heavenly Father.  By means of His death on the cross when you put your faith, your trust in Jesus, repent of your sins and repent of them, and ask God to forgive you, you are reconciled to Him. (See Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of Jesus victory over sin and Satan on the cross, you are at peace with God and He with you. You no longer resist your heavenly Father.  Through Jesus’ cross He has won you over and transformed you into His friends. By the cross you, through Jesus’ triumph over sin and Satan has assured you of your triumph over them as well.

The cross, meant by the Jewish leaders and Pilate to serve as an instrument of death, God used as an instrument of life. “Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

Prayer:  Every time I see or think of Your Cross, dear Jesus, grant that such a vision gives me the assurance of my triumph over sin and Satan through Your triumphant death.  Amen.

In the cross of Christ I glory, Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.

All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,

Never shall the cross forsake me; Lo, its glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way,

From the cross the radiance streaming Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure By the cross are sanctified;

Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.

(LSB 427)