He suffered and endured every test and temptation, so that he can help us every time we pass through the ordeals of life.
Hebrews 2:18
With Easter approaching many of us may be thinking about the death and resurrection of Jesus. His gift of life to each one of us, even when so many rejected him then and now. Jesus became human so he could identify with you and me! (Hebrews 2:14) He endured a death that is beyond the imaginations of today, so we could live, conquer, praise, and know that He is alive in us. Yes, He is alive! His death on the cross is not just about our sins being forgiven, which is amazing in itself. His death on the cross, and his life three days later is about our identity. Because of what he did, we have power to be free. We have the ability to say no to the lies of victimhood and yes to our rightful place seated next to him. Bye, Bye Victim, Jesus lives in me!
“For now he towers above all creation, for all things exist though him and for him. And that God made him, pioneer of our salvation, perfect through his sufferings, for this is how he brings many sons and daughters to share his glory. Jesus the Holy One, makes us holy.” Hebrews 2:10-11 That’s right, we have access to a grace so powerful that we have the ability to live in a state of glory-His glory! Jesus, the forerunner of salvation has given us a blueprint for life. He has given us such a strong identity that when trials hit us, we can conquer the lies that come along side them. We are called to live out a life of love and rest all our confidence in God.
When we suffer on earth, and we all have; it can be very challenging to move above that and hear truth. I once met a woman at a conference that sat down at my table while eating lunch. She began to tell me her story of loosing her three children. Two of them were on a motorcycle, and they crashed. They lost their lives instantly. When her third child heard of the tragedy, he was so distraught that he went in the barn and killed himself. Suddenly, within one day, this woman was childless. She said she fell to the floor and cried out to God in the deepest despair. She doesn’t know how long she was there, but when she opened her eyes she saw the hem of his robe pass before her. She reached out and grabbed his robe. At that moment, through pain more intense than she had ever experienced she knew God was with her and he would walk with her through this sorrow. She knew he would heal her, because she is his child! She chose to not be a victim, but to grab the hem of his robe and move forward with him.
I was so moved by this woman story, and moved that she was at the conference sharing with others her experiences. She was walking in victory over death, hanging on to Jesus for dear life. She was using her pain to bring the healing power of Jesus to others, and it was working! This is exactly what Jesus did. When he was there on the Cross, he was reaching out to the thief across from him. He was tenderly taking care of his mother. He was living in victory, even though it looked like he was the victim. He was paving the way for you and for me to conquer all things through him!
I’ve seen it in many people. I’ve seen them say bye, bye victim and believe in the identity God has given them. I’ve seen how hard it can be to change from the path of victim, to conquerer. I’ve seen the rewards of walking in victory, and living in a place of glory with Jesus. I think it takes daily practice to live there. I think it takes prayer and surrender. It takes the mighty weapons of God to tear down the strongholds that push against us. Just like the apostle Paul, who suffered endlessly for the sake of Jesus. He said “I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by man, to knock down the devils strongholds. These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God, and change them into men whose hearts’ desire is obedience to Christ.” (TLB) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
We, the Church, not Satan, hold the balance of power not only in world affairs but in the salvation of individual souls. How? By accessing our prayer life and our identity as Conquerers in Christ Jesus! The enemy of your soul is under your feet, do not believe that he holds your future, or the future of your country, or your children. No, no. You the child of God can tap into the weapons of God and dispel all that is not of him!
So, this Easter, remember the gift of identity that God has given you. Grab onto the hem of his robe and say bye, bye victim!
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