There is something universal among people, culture and nations, and that universalism is ‘the proclamation of victory.’ History teaches us that each nation records its victory in battle and in war with great pride and esteem, but with the defeat of a nation comes humiliation and a passing footnote in history. The United States of America became a world power after World War I, with the Allied victory over Germany. America celebrated her victory after World War I with the song, ‘When Johnnie Come Marching Home.’ Victory, how sweet it is! Defeat, however, is both agonizing and humiliating for a nation…for example, Saddam Hussein and Adoph Hitler. America had another ‘sweet victory’ in the twentieth century, and that was winning the war in World War II. Millions died in the war, but millions more celebrated its victory. Victory, how sweet it is! Trace each nation’s history, and you will find each nation recording their history well with victory, and minimizing their history in defeat. In the sport world, ‘Everyone loves a winner.’
There has been a Christian celebration of victory going on for over 2000 years, and that has been the celebration of the ‘victory over death.’ How do Christians celebrate this victory? The Apostle Paul wrote: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (I Corinthians 15:54-57).
‘Death’ is mentioned four times in this passage. Someone has said, two things are for certain: Death and taxes. Since death is a certainty, what can you do about it? Is there any escape from death? Since death is a dead end road of no return, is there any hope beyond the grave? The Apostle Paul wrote: ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 6:23). Just as death is a certainty, so also is life! Chinese desire to live a ‘long life,’ Christianity offers ‘eternal life.’ How? By believing in the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ as Savior! ‘That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved’ (Romans 10:9).
Easter Sunday or ‘Resurrection Sunday,’ is our day of victory! Jesus arose from the grave, conquered death, and gave us His resurrected life. ‘But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (I Cor. 15:57). Victory, how sweet it is!
