Paul's Ministry ManualChikamu

Marching in the Parade

Victory parades are times of celebration. No one puts on a parade to celebrate defeat. We have seen—at least, on TV or in movies—parades to mark the end of wars or major sporting events or even a spectacular local high school victory. The ancient Romans had victory parades called ‘Triumphs.’ Paul probably would not have seen a Triumph in his day. He was martyred a few years before the Triumph of Vespasian and his son Titus in 71 AD for their victory in Judaea. But Paul would have learned of such parades in school. In any case, as he wrote 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, he had a vivid image of such a victory parade in his mind. 

These parades varied in detail, but they had some common elements. Paul would have seen in his imagination the Roman officials followed by trumpeters, and then those carrying the spoils of the war. Then there would be priests with all their paraphernalia, followed by the captives, soon to face execution. Behind them would be musicians and more priests swinging censers wafting a sweet incense over the scene. Finally, the general himself standing in a four-horse chariot and leading his army would appear, and the crowd would send up thunderous cheers.

Paul describes himself and his fellow-Christians as part of the parade. They are those who have been captured by Christ the Commander. These captives are marching with their heads held high, not trudging in terror of what is to come. The glory is being given, not to the captives, but to the Commander. It is “Christ’s triumph.” Then Paul smells the incense, “an aroma that brings life,” and he imagines the perfume carrying the gospel to all those around.

His mind must have been lifted to heaven by these thoughts, but then he pauses and thinks, “To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” The gospel can have very different effects. It divides those who receive it from those who reject it. 

We can take at least two great lessons from Paul’s image. First, all this does not happen without some effort on our part. We are not just marching in a Sunday afternoon parade. Paul asks, “Who is equal to such a task?” We are to wave the sensors to spread the aroma of the gospel. Second, we need not be apologetic; we are to see the gospel as the announcement of Christ’s triumph. Jesus has won the victory, and we are to tell the world the great news. Are you marching in the victory parade and spreading the news to those around you? 

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the message as a message of victory and to spread it where I am. Help me to let those around me know the war is won and the Victor offers terms of peace and security to those who will bow the knee to Him. Let me boast about the Victor and spread His fame.