Triumphal Procession

 

Triumphal Procession

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. (2 Corinthians 2:14).

“The fragrance of the knowledge of Christ is spread in the earth through us.  To some it will be an aroma unto salvation; to others it will be an aroma that leads to death because they reject him.  Who is equal to the task of spreading that knowledge?  Paul tells us how to meet such a task; “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.”  Many scholars agree that Paul mixed his metaphors: the first half of the verse seems to deal with the Resurrection (the triumphal procession), and the second half seems to deal with the Cross (fragrance comes only through crushing).

            However, one day I found a paperback book on this passage of Scripture.  It was a doctoral dissertation, and the scholar had researched this verse and studied the Greek word thriambeuo, which is translated “to lead in triumphal procession.”  He found that it was an old Etruscan word, and the Etruscans had a very different triumphal procession from the Roman one that was led by the emperor.  The king who led the Etruscan triumphal procession through the city was the captured, defeated king.  He was spit upon and beaten, and at the end he was sacrificed to the Etruscan gods who supposedly had given the victory.  The conquering king brought up the rear of the procession.  So Paul had not mixed his metaphors.  He was picturing Christ not as the conquering King, but as the conquered King, the One who was to be the sacrifice. 

If Christ leads the procession, then he leads us to an alter of self-sacrifice, the Cross.  It is a triumphal procession because out of the sacrifice of self the fragrance of the gospel comes” (Kinlaw).

I trust this devotion has opened your heart and mind today.  Christ gave of himself sacrificially.  He literally gave His very life for you and for me.  He is the only One worthy of worship and praise.  As we follow Him, we are to put off the old self (or old man as NKJV states).  “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24, NIV).  Our former selves are to be removed, sacrificed, so that our new identity in Christ takes hold.  Shaped and molded by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

As we read the following by Isaiah, let us reflect on what Christ has done for us and reflect on our own walk with the Lord.  Are we walking triumphantly?   “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious; I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me; I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:4-9, NIV)

References

Kinlaw, Dennis. This Day With the Master: 365 Daily Meditations. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2002.