Triumphal Procession

Scriptures: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. (II Corinthians 2:14)

Every year, on the New Year’s Day, Rose Parade is held in Pasadena, California. The floats in the parade are decorated with all kinds of beautiful flowers. Artists, through the design of floats, present their interpretation of the theme of the parade.

It is a parade of beauty and creativity. Thousands of people jammed the sidewalks to watch the parade. Many of them even camped the night before so as to have the best seat to watch the procession of these award-winning floats. They came from all over the place and came for one reason, and one reason only, the floats.

In many ways, Christians are just like these floats. We are “wonderfully made” (Psalm 138:14) and gifted “for works of services, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12) And, just like the floats in the parade, Paul said we are to be lead “in triumphal procession” (II Corinthians 2:14) through which the fragrance of Christ may be spread.

I can’t help noticing the way Paul stated it. First of all, he said that this procession is a procession of triumph. This means that a victory has been won and the enemy has been defeated. We are part of the triumphant team. This is a great news. But, if we are the victors, why do we experience the senses of failure and defeat all the time? Why do we feel that the promises in the scriptures can be so remote to us sometimes?

Maybe the answer lies in the second point Paul made in his statement. That is, this triumphal procession is in Christ. We are on the winning team. But, we may have left the team and are on our own. Paul seemed to be saying that the secret to a triumphant life is to stay in Christ who alone triumphed over the power of sin and death. To be in Christ means we will see what He sees, feel what He feels and desires what He desires. We will reach out to the people He wants to reach out to and share with them the blessings He wants to bring them.

More than this, just like a parade must have a pre-defined route, so is this triumphal procession. It must have a direction. That is why Paul said this procession is lead by God Himself. God wants to take the lead. All we have to do is follow. To follow God means that we need to know His directions revealed to us in the scriptures and through the nudging of the Spirit.

In short, I am convinced that it’s not what we do or not do that makes or breaks a triumphant life for us. It’s the distance between our hearts and His heart that determines the degree of triumph we can experience. The closer we are to His heart, the better our abilities to see what He sees and to feel what He feels; the closer we are to His heart, the clearer His leadership is to us.

The victory has been won. The joy and glory of our Lord’s triumph are in place for us. It’s time we come close to His heart and immerse ourselves in His life and presence so our lives will radiate with His love and grace at which time we will surely be part of that triumphal procession in Christ.

Prayer Requests:
For those feeling defeated by trails in life

Prayer:
Our Lord and Redeemer, You have triumphed over the powers of sin and death so we may be set free in truth! Help us to learn from You and follow You so that, wherever You lead us, we will be marching in the triumphal procession in Christ. In the glorious name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!