When Jesus died on the crucifixion tree, his disciples were devastated. Jesus had taught and lived out and demonstrated the kingdom of God in front of the twelve for three years: 

Blessed are the meek, love your enemies, turn the other cheek, lay down your life for your brothers, put down your sword. 

But they didn’t get it yet. They still expected Jesus to be a political messiah, that he would rescue their nation by crushing the Romans. Instead Jesus was crucified by the Romans. They expected victory, triumph, supremacy—not their Messiah dying staked out on a cross like a criminal. As his lifeless body is taken down from the cross, they are sure they followed the wrong man. 

They didn’t understand that what looked like final defeat was the ultimate victory. They didn’t understand that by losing he won. They didn’t know that his death defeated death, that by dying, he brought life for us all. But they will know soon. 

They will soon understand that Jesus set the pattern for our lives. We too are to lay down our lives for one another—as they did. 

We too are to shift our hope from political and religious supremacy to hope in Christ alone. 

No matter what it looks like to others, our sacrifices, our humble love for neighbors, and even love for our enemies, displays the kingdom of God in all its glory and power. Let us live like Jesus, then. 

Let us win by losing. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we get so caught up in the world’s images and definitions of winning and success. Your life and your death showed us what true victory and power looks like. Give us courage to die to ourselves. Give us humility to lay down our lives for others. Let the beauty of your kingdom be seen through our lives—and our deaths. Amen.