For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:3

Jesus endured more hostility from others than you and I will ever experience.  He responded with unfathomable mercy, but also with a justice that prevails eternally.  We couldn’t have predicted his responses back then, nor should we try to guess how we should respond today.  We must take the hatred directed at us, along with the people who expressed it, and put it all in God’s hands.  He rules righteously with both justice and mercy, and only He can work His response through us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15  Jesus, through His death, dealt with the strategic levels of authority in the demonic realm.  He publicly humiliated Satan.  How did Jesus celebrate victory?  Perhaps the answer lies in the context of ancient Roman customs.  The victor was placed in a chariot drawn by a white horse, and the enemy was chained to the back of his chariot. He was paraded through the streets of the city.  Citizens of Rome applauded the victor as he passed by.  Behind him, his conquered ones endured the shame of defeat. 

In this picture, Christ was in the chariot, having defeated Satan through the cross.  His enemies made quite a spectacle in heavenly places, paraded in public defeat and subjugation.  

Our enemies may be flesh and blood, but the war’s origin is not of the ‘flesh and blood’ kind.  The attacks are conceived and fueled by the evil ones who wage war against Christ.  Spiritual foes want us to believe they still have all the power.  They want us to fear that the cross was not a defining moment in their fate.  But these enemies have been defeated and have been shamed before heaven.  Jesus dealt with them once at Calvary and He will deal with them again before casting them into the lake of fire.  They already know their end.  Suddenly they shouted, “What have You to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”  Matthew 8:29

Until then, as we face others’ hostility, we can find strength in knowing He deals with our enemies, both human and spiritual, even now, with infinite wisdom.

The cross before me.  The cross behind me.  You rule in victory and I trust You.  Amen