Made a show

having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. – Colossians 2.14-15

We are in the beginning stages of the World Cup. Over the last twenty years or so I have become quite a fan of the World Cup. Friday night I watched Spain and the Netherlands. They had played in the final game in 2010 and Spain had won a close match so the stage was set for an exciting match. And it was. The Netherlands made quite a show of the match as they crushed the reigning world champions 5-1.

Although that illustration falls are short, it gives us just an image of what happened to ‘principalities and powers’ when Jesus when to the cross. He made a public spectacle, or, if you will, a show of them. He embarrassed the principalities and powers of this world when he triumphed over them at the cross.

The world gave it all they had. They put up their best battle. When Jesus in the grave the demons surely danced with delight because Jesus, the Son of God was dead. The game was theirs.

But then it all changed. Jesus rose from the dead. Death was swallowed up by Jesus' victory. It is like the last few minutes of that World Cup match. Spain kept playing, but the harder they tried the greater the spectacle of the Dutch victory.

The harder the world tries the great the spectacle of our victory. Jesus has already proven the greatness of His power – one day it will be complete and every eye shall see and every knee shall bow.