Lion + LambShembull

Prayer: Jesus, increase my faith and take away my fear. Remind me of the hope I have in You, in your life, in Your sacrifice, and in Your promises. Reveal Your strength in my weakness and Your power in my need. I want to cling to You in all circumstances, regardless of the dangers that threaten to overwhelm me. You have overcome the world and have provided eternal salvation to all who call on Your name. Let me hold fast to this truth so that I may be a bold witness of Your Gospel in every situation.

The Lamb’s Sacrifice

Everyone loves a good underdog story. We appreciate the excitement of watching a seemingly certain defeat turned into a surprising victory. We want to see heroes overcome villains, relationships overcome adversity, and bottom-ranked sports teams overcome top-ranked dynasties. The drama of unexpected triumph is simply more enjoyable to witness than the unfolding of a guaranteed outcome. And it seems our appreciation for this type of story is inherited from our heavenly Father because his ultimate victory over sin and death through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ displays quite the dramatic flair.

Just when it appeared that the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth were over in the absolute defeat of a shameful death on a cross; just when his friends and enemies alike assumed that the story was over; just when the hope of the promised messiah seemed lost; just three days after the tomb was closed, God overcame the overwhelming darkness with a marvelous light. And yet, the betrayal, false trial, and unjust murder of Jesus Christ still felt like a resounding defeat for his followers at the moment. They were overwhelmed with fear and despair, to the point of running and hiding from those who had presumably destroyed their leader.

We still find ourselves in those moments. The moment when we fear God simply does not have our best at heart. The moment when we assume our Father simply must not see us or else he would change our circumstances. The moment when we run and hide from the threats that seem insurmountable and the defeat that seems imminent. But when we look to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we can take confidence in the truth that our God can turn a “certain defeat” into a surprising, resounding, ultimate victory.

Look in the Word:

1. Look at Matthew 27. How do different people respond to the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus Christ?
2. What miraculous signs followed the death of Jesus Christ? Why are these significant?
3. Who clearly remembered Jesus’ promise of resurrection? Why is this significant?

What’s Next?

1. Spend some time confessing to God where you feel overwhelmed or defeated.
2. Write out the area(s) from your confession, and go down the list speaking aloud how God is in control of those situations and why you know this to be true. Look up passages about the power and compassion of the Lord to ground your knowledge in Biblical truth.
3. Spend some time thanking God for the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Praise him for what He has done!