Triumph in Christ
One of the neatest things I learned in college and seminary was the meaning of II Corinthians 2:14. Paul used an image that the people would have known, but we are in the dark, unless we know some history. However, when we know the customs, it is an awesome truth.
The verse says, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. The key word is "triumph." We just think of that as winning a game. In the Roman world it was a victory parade after a victory by the Roman army. It was always done the same. The defeated army was in the front of the parade, and then, the victorious Romans came behind with the winning general riding a white horse.There was music, and one of the main parts was the burning of a special kind of incense. That way the whole city could smell the fragrance and have the knowledge that Rome had taken over their city.
Now that you know the meaning of triumph the whole verse opens up, doesn't it? Jesus always gives us the victory over our enemies, if we trust Him. He makes a spectacle of them, so all will know that He gave us the power to overcome. Then, we are able to give our testimony, so that the fragrance is diffused to everyone around us, and they will know about Jesus. This is His way of spreading the word that He has been victorious, and He has led us in triumph. It also leads others to come to Him. That is a wonderful truth for all of us as believers.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 5-7.
The verse says, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. The key word is "triumph." We just think of that as winning a game. In the Roman world it was a victory parade after a victory by the Roman army. It was always done the same. The defeated army was in the front of the parade, and then, the victorious Romans came behind with the winning general riding a white horse.There was music, and one of the main parts was the burning of a special kind of incense. That way the whole city could smell the fragrance and have the knowledge that Rome had taken over their city.
Now that you know the meaning of triumph the whole verse opens up, doesn't it? Jesus always gives us the victory over our enemies, if we trust Him. He makes a spectacle of them, so all will know that He gave us the power to overcome. Then, we are able to give our testimony, so that the fragrance is diffused to everyone around us, and they will know about Jesus. This is His way of spreading the word that He has been victorious, and He has led us in triumph. It also leads others to come to Him. That is a wonderful truth for all of us as believers.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 5-7.