What Jesus Says About Beheading an Innocent Man

By now everybody knows that the dedicated followers of the “religion of peace” beheaded an American photojournalist named James Foley, and posted the video on the internet. Years ago I made the mistake of watching a video of another decapitation by Muslim terrorists, and it was the most horrific, disgusting, and beastly thing I’ve ever seen.

So I won’t watch another terrorist video if I can help it, and recommend that you don’t either. But since this is a blog about Christ, I do want to ask the question, what does Jesus have to say about the beheading of an innocent man by religious zealots?

What Makes God Laugh?

Does God have a sense of humor? Well, sure! He made us, right?

Lots of people say the Lord likes a good joke, and maybe He does. But there’s only one place in the entire Bible where God laughs. Psalm 2:4: He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

But this isn’t a pleasant, affectionate, indulgent laugh, like the chuckle you get watching children play. This is a mocking, ridiculing, scoffing kind of laugh. The NET Bible translates Psalm 2:4 this way: The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them.

Christ's Triumph, Part 3

The Sweet Smell of Victory

At the end of your life, how will you measure success? What would you call a "victorious life?"

The Scripture defines success and even guarantees it. But it is a particular kind of victory.

When Paul promised that Christ would "lead us in triumph," he used the imagery of the “Roman Triumph,” a victory parade honoring a conquering general. It was a celebration everyone could see, hear, and smell.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 2:1-17, NASB; my emphasis)

The general led his army through the streets of Rome, heading for the arena. For his soldiers, this was a day of highest honor and joyful celebration. Toward the rear of the parade were the vanquished enemy soldiers. Defeated and downcast, they trudged along in chains, knowing they would be killed when they reached the Coliseum.

Christ's Triumph, Part Two

The Hero of the Story

One of the most colorful figures in American politics was our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt. He was an adventurer, hunter, cowboy, and author, as well as a politician.

Like many people in public life, he loved the spotlight. His daughter said of her famous father, "He wants to be the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral, and the baby at every christening."

What might be charming in a politician is a tragic flaw for the rest of us. We all want to be the hero in our own story. But Scripture's promise of victory is Christ's triumph. We are victorious in Him. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. ( 2 Corinthians 2:14, my emphasis)

When Paul wrote those words in the original Greek, he referred to a “Roman Triumph,” a first century "ticker tape parade" for a victorious Roman general. The "triumph" wound through the streets of Rome, with the general afforded the place of highest honor, while his troops followed him, celebrating his victory.

Only a general of extraordinary accomplishment was awarded a "triumph." First, he must have actually led his troops in combat. Directing the battle safely from the sidelines was not enough. Second, he had to have completely conquered the enemy. And third, he must have advanced the boundaries of the Roman Empire. Simply defending Rome did not qualify.

We are confident in Christ because He far exceeds the exploits of any human conqueror. How we love our Savior, and honor Him, for the greatness of His triumph!

Our Lord Jesus placed Himself in the middle of the battlefield. The eternal Second Person of the Trinity took upon Himself human flesh, entered history, and has been tempted just as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Like the Roman general (but of course much more!) Christ has conquered all. For God has put all things in subjection under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:27). In His death and resurrection, Christ our Lord extended the rule of the Kingdom of God to the darkest corners of humanity.

God always leads us in triumph, but that doesn't mean the establishment of all our goals or the realization of our agendas. It's about Christ. He is the hero of the story, and we get to be part it.

For next time: The Sweet Smell of Victory

Christ's Triumph, Part One

The Promise

When I was still in college, God began to call me to church planting. A few years later in seminary, I tried to get prepared with a research project in which I surveyed all the church planters in our denomination. I asked them various questions about methods they used. The last question was open-ended. What advice would they give me, a future church planter?

One veteran church planter’s only advice was to claim the promise of 2 Corinthians 2:14. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (NASB)

At the time I wasn’t familiar with the passage, but I began to study it. Now, all these years later, the truth of this wonderful passage has been an encouragement to me for over 35 years. I'm hoping you might be encouraged, too, through a short series of posts.

Here’s the background: Paul, traveling from Ephesus, came to the port city of Troas, a place he sensed was ripe for the gospel. But his plans had included meeting his colleague and protégé Titus, who was returning from a trip to Corinth.

Titus failed to appear and Paul was filled with concern, both for his young disciple and for the Corinthian church, which had been dealing with many problems.

Life is like that. Your best plans may be interrupted. People may disappoint or worry you. Challenges you never anticipated change everything.

All these things were heavy upon the Apostle Paul. But that’s when he burst forth in confidence: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ!

This is both Paul's testimony as well as a promise for you and me. Despite sin, setbacks, stalls, and even spiritual warfare, God leads us in triumph. But the most important thing to know about this promise is that it's Christ’s triumph, not ours.

For next time: The Hero of the Story