Won in Christ

(I am attending the WELS national convention this week and this devotion is based on the message delivered at the opening worship service).

One in Christ.
This is the theme of the national convention of our church body this year.
I have the privilege of attending.

We are "One in Christ" - because we have been "WON in Christ".
1 Corinthians 15:50-58

We are the champions...
- everyone loves a champion
- we rally around them
- even the fair-weather fans get excited

When is a champion a champion?
You're not a champion while you are still playing...
Not until you've won.

Is Jesus Christ a champion?
Did he live his life like a champion?
- No - except for Palm Sunday - it looked like he was anything but the "champion" that the Jewish people were looking for.

When we look at Jesus on the cross - he does not LOOK like a champion.
But he was.
And he is.

Indeed - the angry mob surrounding the cross was kind of saying...
- "The end is near - finally we have got him..."

But think of Jesus on that cross.
If you think about his words while he was being tortured physically and spiritually - he is also kind of saying...
- "The end is near - finally I have got them...saved!"

Our Jesus is a different kind of champion.
We are "One in Christ" - because we have been "WON in Christ".

His victory is "ONE and DONE".

IT is finished.

No rematches.

No "let's see what happens next season".

IT is finished.

The tomb where Jesus was laid was not his "final resting place".

When the stone was rolled away - we knew for sure that it was death's "final resting place" instead.

Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?

IT is finished.

He is risen.

He is risen, indeed.

And the best part is...

You have a front row seat in the victory parade.

When your life is over - you step into the light and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant!".

You have been WON in Christ.

Be happy - you are One in Christ.

Be joyful - you are One in Christ.

Be ecstatic - you are One in Christ.

Brother and sister - AMEN!

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