Ultimate Champion
“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 (NIV)
God never does anything halfway. Have a look at the way in which Christ defeated the two largest and most consistent nemeses of humankind: sin and death. Jesus did not sneak away with the win, or catch Satan on a bad day. It was not a stroke of luck, an accident, or a fluke. No, Jesus came loaded for bear and He left no doubt. Though it appeared the enemy might have the upper hand early on, once the dust settled, the contest was a complete blowout, not even close.
The temptation of Christ as recorded in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 was certainly not the only time Jesus was tempted (Luke makes a point of saying that the devil would be back), but it was, as far as we know, the most focused and intense challenge Jesus would face until the Garden of Gethsemane. The timing, just prior to Jesus’ public ministry, was pivotal and intentional.
Led by the Spirit into the desert, Jesus fasted 40 days in preparation for a showdown that would set the course for His mission. Weakened physically, tired mentally, but focused spiritually, Jesus faced a full-on assault that was both direct and personal. First came an invitation to immediate relief of His hunger by way of a self-serving miracle. Second, the promise of the crown without the suffering of the cross. Third came the dare – prove yourself! If it’s a following you want, what better way to get attention than to defy death and reveal your identity?
Jesus’ responses in each case were immediate and definite, lifted directly from Scripture. Bear in mind He was literally face to face with the devil. As a spiritual being, Satan could show Jesus, in graphic detail, exactly what he was offering. And Jesus was entitled to all of the things placed before Him – food, kingdoms, worship. The temptation was to skip the mission and take the easy way out. Thankfully for us, Jesus withstood the test.
In his flogging and crucifixion, Jesus chose a moment in history and a method of death that undoubtedly represented one of the cruelest, most heinous, vulgar, painful, and humiliating ways of dying ever devised by humans. He wasn’t just executed; He was stripped, tortured, mutilated and mocked before finally yielding His spirit. But Sunday was coming.
In dealing with sin and death, it was as if Jesus walked onto Satan's home court and said, "Bring it.” After the enemy had done his worst, Jesus asked, “Is that all you got?” Then He walked out of an empty tomb, victorious for all people, for all time. That’s why we call Him LORD. There is no other Champion like ours.
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. –Revelation 17:14 (NIV)