Word of Encouragement (4/26/2021)
Today, we will reflect on Paul’s prayer in 2 Cor. 2:14-16: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”
This, too, is a prayer of thanksgiving. Here, Paul gives thanks to God for always leading us in triumphal procession. Here, Paul is specifically speaking of his and others’ missionary, preaching ministry. But it is, at the very least, indirectly applicable to all Christians. Many of us are familiar with the imagery he is using here because we have seen the movies, which have reenactments of the triumphal procession led by Roman generals or emperors as they enter the City of Rome after their victorious campaign. This procession with all its pomp and circumstance was probably one of the most majestic and splendid sights for people’s view at that time.
Paul uses this imagery to stimulate our imagination to picture the surpassing greatness of Christ’s triumphant procession. If mere mortals—that’s how Paul must have viewed the Roman emperors and generals despite what they claimed about themselves—were accorded such ceremonies of grandeur for defeating an enemy nation, how much greater would be Christ’s triumphal procession? It is organized by the God of infinite glory and majesty. It is put on for His Son’s victory over sin and death and Satan and hell as the Savior of the whole world. Paul wanted the recipients of his letter to imagine something far greater than what the Roman Empire with all of its wealth and might was able to put on. Let us break it down a bit.
This is a triumphal procession. That means victory has been already won. This victory was achieved when Jesus rose again from the dead on the third day. After His resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God as His victorious Son. For His victory, all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matt. 28:19). We can say, then, the history of the church since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost has been the continuation of this triumphal procession. This procession will come to an end when all of God’s elect enter the gates of heaven in glory.
Brothers and sisters, you belong to Christ and you are part of this triumphal procession. Of course, this procession is spiritual in character. This is what is confusing. As we live in this world, it doesn’t seem like we are part of this triumphal procession. But Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). For now, Christ’s triumph manifests itself in the advancement of the gospel message to the ends of the earth, not in the material wealth and political power of the church. In this advancement of the gospel, as we see sinners brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ all over the world, which has been under the dominion of the evil one, we see the effects of Christ's victory over the dominion of Satan and sin.
Do you feel like your life is characterized by frustration and defeat and slow progress in your spiritual life? Then, pause for a second and take a look at what is going on all over the world. Consider what has been happening in China and how Christianity is thriving there and how so many new believers are being added to the number there! And have you heard how there is a growing number of Muslims being converted to Christianity despite all the threat and persecution? God is still leading this triumphal procession in Christ Jesus! Let this be an encouragement to you. Your Christian life is not just your private struggle. It is part of this grand movement of God throughout the whole world because Christ has already won the victory. Let this refresh and renew and energize your faith today and march on in step with the Holy Spirit and your fellow saints all over the world!