“having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

The triumph of the cross cannot be held high enough for it to be shown for what it is. What was accomplished there we will never really be able to grasp. The enormity of the victory that was achieved for us and the depths and breadths of the payment for our sin will never be realised by any human. The Lord Jesus has gained the victory over every enemy of our souls and it is so extreme, He is able to save completely anyone who comes to Him. The victory is so universal that He is able to put to flight every power that raises itself up against Him or His precious people. 

“He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Colossians 1:18

This verse we are studying says that He showed the evil powers and authorities up for what they really are. He showed the wickedness in the hearts of the human authorities by the way they treated Him at His death. The record we have in the Scripture is the sight of despicable human beings full of envy and wrath, spewing out their hatred on the Son of God. He dealt with them with such dignity and majesty that they could not understand.

The treachery of one of His own disciples fills us with fear, lest we should also be found in such a state. The story of Judas is a sorry tale of the cowardice and greed in the human heart. The powers of darkness gathered around the Saviour of the world and tried their utmost spite against Him, knowing they could never succeed yet hounding Him to the cross. The dignity and divine majesty of the Lord Jesus is clearly seen in all He said and did and shows us that He really is who He says He is. 

Jesus put to death the power of Satan, so he can conquer the people of God no longer. The victory is complete, because the price is paid and all spite and sorrow is gone forever for all who will believe. Satan is finally shown to be who he really is and is stripped of all his vaunted pomp and show. He is low and beaten and cannot hurt us anymore. 

Christ is the conquering king, as the sign that was put above the cross tells us. 

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

His triumph is compete because He has bought a people for Himself who are now delivered from the wrath to come and who will serve Him and reign with Him in all eternity.

“I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod.He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Revelation 19:11-16