Having spoiled principalities and powers, or, having stripped off andput away the powers of evil.
Christ took upon Himself our human nature with all its temptations (Heb_4:15). The powers of evil gathered about Him. Again and again they assailed Him, but each fresh assault ended in a new defeat. In the wilderness He was tempted by Satan; but Satan retired for a time baffled and defeated (Luk_4:13). Through the voice of His chief disciple the temptation was renewed, and He was entreated to decline His appointed sufferings and death. Satan was again driven off (Mat_16:23; comp. 8:31). Then the last hour came. This was the great crisis of all, when the power of darkness made itself felt (Luk_22:53), when the prince of this world asserted his tyrrany (Joh_12:31). The final act in the conflict began with the agony in Gethsemane, and ended with the cross of Calvary. The victory was complete. The enemy of man was defeated. The powers of evil, which had clung like a Nessus robe about His humanity, were torn off and cast aside for ever. And the victory of man is involved in the victory of Christ. In His death we too are divested of the poisonous clinging garments of temptation, and sin, and death. For this image of the garments see Isa_64:6, but especially Zec_3:1-10. In this prophetic passage the image is used of His type and namesake, the Jesus of the Restoration, not in His own person, but as the High Priest and representative of a guilty, but cleansed and forgiven people, with whom He is identified. The “powers” specially meant are those of Eph_6:12. “Displayed” as a victor displays his captives or trophies in a triumphal procession. Nowhere does the word convey the idea of making an example, but signifies to display, publish, proclaim. “Boldly,” not publicly, although the latter idea may be sometimes connected with the word as a secondary notion (Joh_7:4). “Leading them in triumph,” the same metaphor as in 2Co_2:14. Here, however, it is the defeated powers of evil; there the subjugated persons of men who are led in public, chained to the triumphal car of Christ. “In the Cross.” The violence of the metaphor is its justification. The paradox of the crucifixion is thus placed in its strongest light--triumph in helplessness, glory in shame. The convict’s gibbet is the victor’s car. (Bp. Lightfoot.)
Christ triumphant
Tothe eye of reason the Cross is the centre of sorrow, the lowest depth of shame; to the Jew a stumbling-block, and to the Greek foolishness. How different, however, to the eye of faith--a token of glory, a field of triumph, the chariot in which Christ rode when He led captivity captive.
I. Christ making a spoil of principalities and powers.
1. The contest. Satan, leagued with sin and death, had made this world the home of woe. He found our first parents in Eden; they became his slaves. Yet the voice of mercy was heard even while the fetters were being rivetted--“Ye shall be free.” The earth groaned and travailed in itsbondage. In the fulness of time, the Deliverer came forth born of a woman. Then came the Temptation; eventually the Passion; at last the Cross. Hark how the Conqueror cries, “It is finished.” Where are now His enemies? All defeated.
2. The division of the spoil.
(1) He disarmed His enemies. Satan had in his hand a sharp sword called the Law. This was wrested from his hand. Death was deprived of his darts, which were broken in two, and the feather end returned that he might never destroy the ransomed. Sin, Satan’s armour bearer, was despoiled of his shield.
(2) Victors carry away all the treasures belonging to the vanquished. Satan had taken away all our possessions--Paradise with all its joy and peace--not that he could enjoy them--but Christ has gotten them all back.
(3) Victors take away all the ornaments from the enemy, the crown and jewels. Satan’s crown is taken away, his sovereignty is gone. He may tempt, but he cannot compel, threaten but not subdue.
3. What says this to us? If Christ has spoiled Satan, let us not be afraid to encounter him.
(1) If he accuse you, reply, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?”
(2) Ii he condemn you, ask, “Who is he that condemneth? “
(3) If he threaten to divide you, shout, “I am persuaded,” etc.
(4) If he let loose your sins upon you, dash the hell dogs aside with this, “If any man sin,” etc.
(5) If death should threaten you, exclaim, “Oh death, where is thy sting?” etc. Your battles shall turn to your advantage. The more numerous they are the greater the spoil. Your tribulation shall work patience, etc.
II. The triumph.
1. Most of the old commentators refer this to the resurrection and the ascension; Paul refers it to the Cross, but the Cross as the ground of the ultimate triumph when Christ shall enter on His reign over an undisputed universe.
2. Picture this triumph. The pearly gates open,angels crowd on the battlements.
(1) The vanguard of the redeemed approach the city. Abel comes in alone, and then follow the patriarchs, prophets, heroes, of four thousand years.
(2) The Prince of the House of David, with Satan, sin, and death in eternal captivity.
(3) Then the great mass of His people--fathers, reformers, etc.
(4) I might describe the mighty pictures at the end of the procession, for in the old Roman triumphs the deeds of the conqueror were depicted in paintings, the towns he had taken, the battles he had fought. I might present hell destroyed; heaven’s gates opened by the golden lever of Christ’s atonement; the grave despoiled. Conclusion:Where will you be? Among the captives or in the Conqueror’s train?(C. H. Spurgeon.)
The triumph of the Cross
I. Was over the powers of evil.
1. The existence of evil is a painful fact, we meet with it everywhere.
2. Evil is embodied in invisible and potent personalities, called--
(1) Principalities, because of their excellency, knowledge, and station.
(2) Powers, because of the mighty influence they wield and the terrible havoc they work. They exist in vast numbers (1Pe_4:2; Jud_1:6), and are the bitter foes of man (Eph_6:12).
II. Was achieved after severe conflict. The conflict was--
1. Continuous from the Fall to the Cross.
2. Fierce.
3. Deadly (Luk_22:53; Joh_12:30).
III. Was signal and complete. Lessons:
1. Christ has conquered the powers of evil.
2. To the believer ultimate victory is certain.
3. Keep up a brave heart in the fiercest conflict. (G. Barlow.)
Christ’s victory
The shock that buried Lisbon in 1755 never ceased to vibrate till it reached the wilds of Scotland and the vineyards of Madeira. It was felt among the islands of the Grecian Archipelago, and it changed the level of the solitary lakes that sleep beneath the shadows of the North Alps. Even so the shock that Satan’s kingdom sustained when Christianity was established will not cease to vibrate till it move the whole world. (Christ and other Masters.)
Believers share the triumph of Christ
“I belong to death’s Master,” was the expression of a Christian woman lately, who at length died of internal cancer. She was attended by a Roman Catholic nurse, who was very much astonished at the calm patience and peace of the poor sufferer. A lady called to see her one day. The door was opened by the nurse. “How is Mrs. Bristow to-day?” inquired the visitor. “She is very ill, sir,” was the reply. The nurse then gave the following details:--“Last night she was seized with violent pain, and I thought she was dying. I said to her, ‘Ye aredying; shall I send for a clergyman to prepare you for death?’ ‘Oh, no,’ she said, ‘I want no minister, for I am ready to die at any moment.’ ‘But,’ I said, ‘are you not afraid to die?’ ‘No, indeed, not a bit,’ she replied. ‘Tell me why you are not afraid to die, when you have not been prepared by your clergyman, nor received the rites of your Church?’ I said. ‘Because,’ she replied, joyously, ‘I belong to death’s Master. I am a poor sinner saved by grace, and His blood has washed away my sin, and secured me a title to glory.’”
The triumph of Christ
I do not admire Napoleon, except in the matter of his cool courage, but for that he was noteworthy. They always represent him in the midst of the battle with folded arms. His eagle eye is on the conflict, but he is motionless as a statue. Every soldier in the imperial army felt that victory was sure, for the captain was so self-possessed. If he had been hurrying too and fro, rushing here, there, and everywhere, and making a great fuss about everything, they would have inferred that defeat was impending. But see him yonder! All is well. He knows what he is at. It is all right, for he does not strive, nor cry, nor cause his voice to be heard; he is calm, for he can see that all is well. There stands the Crucified this day, upon the vantage ground, at the right hand of God, and He surveys the battle-field in calm expectancy until His enemies are made His footstool. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
