At the climax of the film Superman II, it looked as if villain General Zod had beaten the world’s superhero. Zod had coerced Superman into a crystal chamber that was designed to expose him to sunrays from their home planet Krypton—rays that would neutralize his superpowers. But Superman secretly reconfigured the chamber so that the power-draining sunrays were released on General Zod and his Kryptonian cronies instead!
When Jesus’ story came to its God-ordained climax, it looked as if the powerful Roman government and Jewish religious hierarchy had scored a decisive victory. The One who had healed the sick, calmed stormy seas, and even raised the dead back to life was unmistakably dead and buried (Mark 15:37,42-47).
But as time passed, by counsel of the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus began to recognize that His unjust and brutal crucifixion was not a crushing defeat. It was a surprising victory for God’s kingdom over the world’s powers. As one of Jesus’ earliest followers wrote, “[It was God’s] mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Through the power of sacrificial love, Jesus neutralized the corrupt “rulers and authorities” and established God’s worldwide reign. God was truly in charge, and the world was set to undergo a change just as radical as the events surrounding Jesus’ death itself.
We who claim Jesus as our Savior have access to the same power that turned the horrors of the cross into a stunning victory (Ephesians 1:21-22). This same force that raised Jesus from the dead 3 days later is the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells and enables us to live for God’s kingdom today (Romans 8:2,11).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 3:1-15
More:
Read Colossians 2:15 and consider what it says about Jesus’ victory for us.
Next:
What did you do or say recently that proclaimed the reality of God’s kingdom in the world around you? How has the power of the Holy Spirit been made evident in your life?
Gary Shultz on April 13, 2016 at 5:56 am
Yes, Jeremy Camp sings the song well, “the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us”. We should mirror what Christ won and opened – spiritual access and power. We live in a world blind to the Spirit and as you state the cross over is not of great ease. A most difficult job is before us to translate spirit into into a recognizable commodity others can see and process. Enter the Spirit to do the work, in us, to live the testimony, and in them, to move the heart. So we remain faithful, available, and walk the life of a person who has opened their heart to God’s presence and power. Thanks Jeff, maybe there’s hope for the general.
gagirllive on April 13, 2016 at 7:34 am
Jeff, it truly is amazing to know that we have the same resurrection power living in us that raised Christ from the dead. Just like He transformed the apostles, the Holy Spirit energizes and enables us to do what is unnatural to us. I have often whispered the prayer “Lord, I can’t but you can. Please work through me.” In those situations He takes my weakness and empowers me to do or say what He wants–oftentimes when I thought I had bungled it up! Yes, in Him we have not only a surprising victory but a surpassing victory. And the S on our chest does not stand for Superman! 🙂 Thanks for this encouraging word today, Jeff!
godlove on April 13, 2016 at 9:12 am
Nice comment gagillive, I see what you did there. Once we know we have GOD’s power through the Holy Spirit indwelt in us (that “S” on our chest), all we need is faith and allow GOD to enable us and work through us to achieve surpising and surpassing victories. Thanks for sharing. Be blessed.
sandy229 on April 13, 2016 at 9:59 am
Amen gagirllive 🙂
jim spillane on April 13, 2016 at 2:33 pm
gagirllive – your short prayer is just the kind of thing I’m looking for. Mind if I borrow it whenever the need arises? Maybe that “S” on our chest could stand for the “Spirit” that lives inside. I think that many of us, myself included, often don’t realize the awesome power that truly does lives within us. It’s a power strong enough to raise the dead, and because of that it is more than enough to take care of my needs. But, unfortunately, I usually look to my own strength first. I certainly have much to learn and much growing still to do before I’m anywhere near ripe. Hope I can have a productive growing season. (Let’s pray for God’s nurturing rain). Blessings to you always.
gagirllive on April 13, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Absolutely, Jim! The prayer is yours for the taking. I own nothing. And yes, the “S” is definitely for the Spirit as others here have noted. You know, I was being funny when I said that, but you’re so right about how quick we are to run off in our own strength. We do tend to wear a big “S” on our chest when we try to do God’s work without His power. How foolish! But praise God for His patience with us in these growing seasons, right? Bless you, Jim.
Jeff Olson on April 13, 2016 at 6:34 pm
gagirllive…thanks for sharing!