VICTORY IN JESUS

Victory in Jesus

He must go to Jerusalem, not as a Victim but as a Victor. His was not the heroism of One consenting to be a Victim, for He never spoke of the Cross without speaking of the resurrection which lay beyond; it was rather the heroism of a determined Victor, having a purpose for being sent, Who was moving through a dark and awful process, towards a bright and glorious victory that we shall share in.

Again He never spoke of the Cross without the resurrection, but when He first spoke of the Cross He used this word must. He declared that it was necessary to go to Jerusalem. It was part of the mission He was sent on. The Cross was no accident. It was spoken of in the Old Testament books. He was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, “ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay.” And all by God's grace. He cooperated and worked with His Father.

By the giving of His life He declared that He would destroy the wolf, and energize the sheep.

The Master came to fulfill the law and prophecy, to establish a life in men which shall meet the Divine requirement; but men need strength and power, and He gives them life, His life that the forces of His purity may operate in them; but He could only do this through death.

He not merely slay the wolf in His dying, but He also gave His life to His sheep in order that they may be able to overcome all the wolves that may attack them. He took that life up again in order to give it to men.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

But also:

John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

The resurrection of Jesus is a very important doctrine for the saved.