A little over forty-days ago, we began a journey. From the head to the heart…just like Jesus. Think back. On the first Sunday of Lent, led by the Holy Spirit Jesus goes into the desert to pray. Satan joins him, and tried his best. But Jesus answers his every temptation and his every question (Luke 4). Now fast forward, there is Satan again, entering Judas and leading him to thirty pieces of silver (Luke 22). The desert was a place of great trial as was the betrayal.
Right in the middle of Luke’s Gospel, the devil makes his presence known as Jesus is casting out demons. The devil does it through confusion and deceit. The crowd witnessing the messiah’s handiwork, now questioned where the casting of demons originated…heaven or hell? (Luke 11:14f). Again, nice try Satan. Just before this, Jesus told us not only who we were, but who we belonged to…Our Father.
During this season of Lent, we have been journeying with Jesus. We have had our battles with Satan haven’t we? What does the devil try to do? He tempts us, he fools us, he confuses us, he trips us up, he separates us and attempts to divides us. The Father of lies, the one who comes to steal, and destroy.
In the fullness of time, God sent a savior. God sent a messiah. God sent one who looked like us, shared our nature, but at the same time was Himself God. Why did he come? To forgive us? Yes. To save us? Yes. To heal our falleness? Yes. But deep, down…why did God come? Because He loves us. The Eternal, Immortal, all-knowing and all-powerful God is in Love with us. He is love itself. He came to reconcile us to Himself, because of His Divine desire for unity with His creation…the creation that is in His Image and Likeness.
Being the Father of Lies, the one who comes to steal, and destroy, I don’t think Satan saw that coming. When Satan heard the crowds on Palm Sunday, he knew he needed to make his move. He needed to stir up the chief priests sense of insecurity in their precious position. He had to induce Judas to his rationalized betrayal. He had to make people doubt. He had to make apostles sleep in the Garden. He had to make Peter first draw a sword and then draw his tongue three times. He had to make Pilate take the road of least resistance. He had to move the crowd to seek a murderer instead of a Savior and leave the truth dragging up the path to be Golgatha. Satan had a busy week.
“It is finished.” When Satan heard Jesus utter those three last words from the cross, He felt victorious. The last thing to fall at the foot of the cross were tears. And I am sure Satan danced on those tears.
So how did God respond to Satan’s dance on those tears? As Jesus lay in the tomb, the words of Psalm 42 came to life “ My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Yes, where is your God? In the resurrection we hear that question. Where is your God? He is not here… Nails could not stop him. The grave could not hold him. Death could not grip him. What was “finished” on the cross was his mission. Jesus was obedient and surrendered to the Father…and now, the Father, in the power of the Spirit raises Him from the cross, grave and our former enemy, Death itself.
At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus wept. I’m convinced, that at His resurrection, Jesus laughed! Tears became Joy. Darkness became Light. Separation became restoration. Satan’s Fake news (lol) was overwritten by the GOOD NEWS! HE IS NOT HERE. HE IS RISEN. ALLELUIA.
He who laughs last, laughs the best!
