The King of IsraelSample

Day 6 - Disarming the power of darkness

Just before Easter, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. A crowd of pilgrims pulled Him in and cheered Him on as the King of Israel. It seems like something that befell Jesus, but this was not the case. He was in control and chose the way He approached the city. The people recognized what He was doing. Prophetic words were being fulfilled. "Behold, your King will come to you ... poor, and riding on a donkey." But Jesus knew what battle awaited Him and against whom He would have to fight.

Jesus' suffering has everything to do with victory over the power of darkness. But that victory does not only have spiritual dimensions. The people of Israel are in exile, scattered among the nations. There the ruler of the world rules (see Luke 4:6). You could say that the power of darkness is holding the children of Israel captive in the world (Isaiah 49:9). God allows this because of the sins of the people. It was the case in Egypt, in Babylon and also now in this exile. But Jesus takes upon Himself the sins of Israel and thereby breaks the power of Satan.

That is why Jesus is also called the "Passover lamb" (1 Corinthians 5:7). On the night Israel slaughtered and ate the Passover Lamb, the gods of Egypt were stripped of their power (Exodus 12:12). Jesus is the new Passover Lamb. He Himself says that He will draw the children of Israel to Himself on the cross (John 12:31-32). Paul later writes that on the cross Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities (Colossians 2:15). Thus, Jesus is also King.

Give thanks that Jesus suffered and died for His people and also for us.