A Roman Triumph by Ruebens (National Gallery London)
For in Christ all the fullness of the Creator lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought into fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also initiated with a initiation not performed by human hands. Your old self ruled by animal instincts was subdued when you were bonded to Christ, having put to death your selfish desires, and then raised up to join the Creator's purpose, who raised Jesus from the dead.
When you were dead in your selfishness, outside the fold, the Creator made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our wrong doing having paid the fines for our crimes, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away by shouldering our punishment. And having disarmed these powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by this act of sacrifice. Colossians 2: 9-15
Nothing much is as one might expect in the Bible. The triumph over evil is not the triumph seen in classical pictures, or emulated by would be Caesars across the ages. Our triumph is a quiet affair of the heart. It is the assurance that when financial pressures hit, we will be alright. When tragedy strikes, we will be alright. And finally when my life comes to an end, I will pass away with company; with the one who has already died, and passed thought to another life.
Why should this not be true? Wishful thinking? The yearning of a broken heart?
All I can say is that I have an assurance that can not be shifted, despite my best efforts at rationalising my thoughts. This is the triumph. That when I have no energy. When I cannot invent a happy ending. When despair is 'king', yet I know that I am not alone. I matter and we matter.
PRAYER: You have triumphed in my life, and I am yours.
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