“But thanks be to God, who always
leads us as willing captives in Christ’ triumphal procession, and allows us to
spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him, everywhere.”
2nd Corinthians 2:14
The Roman Triumphus (or Triumph) was both a civil
ceremony and religious rite of ancient Rome which was conducted to celebrate
the success of a general who had led the Roman military to victory; having
successfully waged a foreign war.
On
the day of his triumph, the commander wore a crown of laurel and a purple, gold-embroidered
toga which identified him as just short of divine.
He
rode in a four-horse chariot through the streets of Rome with his army,
captives, and the spoils of his war. At the temple on Capitoline
Hill, he offered sacrifices and the tokens of his victory to the
person of his supreme god, Jupiter.
I
love the Biblical allusions to the traditions, customs and events of that time
period, which we as citizens of the 21st century are prone to pass
over, and never realize we have “walked right past” rich kernels of spiritual
information and insight.
In
the foregoing scripture, Paul likens our relationship with Christ to the Roman
Triumphus, as if the Son of God had taken us captive, and we are marching in a
triumphal procession which leads to the very throne of God, Himself.
Pt.
2
Another
allusion to our having been taken prisoner by our Lord is found in the New
Testament Book of Ephesians.
“When he ascended on high, he led captivity
captive.”
Ephesians
4:8
Of
course, any seasoned student of scripture understands the concept of Christ’
redemptive work on the cross, His having salvaged believers from the bondage imposed
on themselves from our natural enemy, Satan, and His intent to lead them to
their eternal reward.
The
obedient believer is often likened to what has been characterized as a “love
slave.” In the Old Testament we find a poignant reference to such an
individual.
“But if the slave plainly
says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he
shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear
through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.”
Exodus
21:5-6
His
master shall bore his ear through with an awl. A wound which characterizes
possession, or slavery.
Again,
the notion of bringing a captive to the Almighty, and dedicating the prisoner
to His service, and, as a result, forging a permanent relationship; accompanied
by the implication of never ending service to the Supreme Being.
In
much the same manner, Old Testament believers were given the rite of
circumcision as a sign to the ungodly of their having been set aside, and
possessed by the Lord.
The
apostle informs us that having saved us from the law of sin and death, Christ
has ushered in a new dispensation, and that He has afforded us a new sign of our
having become His love slave.
“A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is
circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one
inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by
the written code.
Romans
2:28
In
Philippians 1:1 Paul refers to himself as a servant (or slave) of the Lord
Jesus Christ. He who once persecuted the Church has been won over by Him whom
he once persecuted, and has voluntarily submitted himself as a love slave to
the God-man.
“But thanks be to God, who always
leads us as willing captives in Christ’ triumphal procession.”
As
believers we have willingly submitted ourselves to the God of the ages, and His
Son, Jesus Christ, and have been afforded the glorious honor of marching in His
triumphal parade; a procession which leads to the very throne of the King of
kings and Lord of lords, and in which we will dwell eternal in the heavens.
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "McDonald's Daily Diary." Vol. 77. Copyright pending.
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