Words of Grace – March 24, 2016

Just as we are made of flesh and blood, Jesus also became a partaker of flesh and blood in his identification with us.  He did this that through his death on the cross “he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

The cross of Christ was the place of victory for Jesus, not for the devil.  The devil was defeated there by the shed blood of the Savior, and now we sing:  “O victory in Jesus!”

Martin Luther often mentioned the devil in his preaching.  When he was asked one time how he overcame the devil, he explained that when the enemy comes knocking at his heart’s door, and asks “who lives here?” the dear Lord Jesus goes to the door and says, “Martin Luther used to live here, but he moved out.  Now I live here.”

Luther then went on to explain that the devil, seeing the nail-prints in his hands, and his side which was pierced, takes flight immediately.  He remembers that he was defeated through the death of Christ on the cross.

There is an old Sunday School chorus that closes with these encouraging words:  “With Christ within, the fight we’ll win, on the victory side!”