VICTORY AT LAST!

 VICTORY AT LAST

Text: Luke 23:44-56

Victory at last!  That is what Jesus achieved on the cross on good Friday. His body was completely broken and shattered for the sins of the whole world. His blood flowed freely as a cleansing fountain. The real manna from heaven. The bread of life. He came that man may have life and have it more abundantly. So as the good shepherd, he came as the way, the truth and the life. He is the light of the world. He is the door through which the sheep enters and he is key of David. He opens and no one can shut. He shuts and no one can open. The everlasting reality is his name. He alone will remain when everyone and every other thing have ceased to exist; the almighty! 

Today, we celebrate his burial. Joseph was privileged to have the body of Jesus. The body that was broken for him and us. The veil that is torn that we may all go in. Joseph had his body in his arms. He nurtured and cared for it. He accorded it the honour it deserved and finally secured it in a befitting resting place. But Jesus was never meant to rest long in the grave. He is from the eternity past. Hence, He knows there is need also to  preach the message even in  hades. Jesus achieved victory at last, over sin, over hades and over death. What an outstanding victory. What a Glorious defeat.  Paradise lost in Adam is regained in  Christ. Access denied by the curtain is now restored. Heaven and Earth meet again. God is open to all because of what Jesus has done. 

Father, again we bow in adoration and worship at your great wisdom and everlasting love. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for us. Grant that the victory he achieved over sin,  Satan, hades and death will remain our victory forever. May we live in this assurance of his salvation and redemption and  continue to proclaiming it to the world till he returns again in glory. Amen.