“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.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

Americans spend a good deal of time celebrating with picnics and fireworks during the summer months – especially around the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day holidays. We try to put aside partisan differences and political perspectives, all the while lining the streets of their towns and villages to see brightly decorated floats, shiny fire trucks, antique cars, marching bands, and grown men driving go-carts in circles. I find it interesting to note that the apostle Paul actually uses the picture of a parade to teach the Corinthian believers an important biblical truth about the work of Jesus on our behalf. In the second chapter of 2 Corinthians he says that G-d “always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ”. The Corinthians would have been very familiar with the idea of “triumphal processions.” In fact, anyone living under the Roman Empire would have instantly pictured what Paul was describing. Historians write about the Roman forces that would parade through a town they captured and march the captured and defeated general and his remaining troops, shackled and humbled, in a demonstration of power and might. While they marched, the pagan priests of Rome would burn incense to symbolize the sweet smell of victory.

Paul takes that powerful picture and uses it to illustrate the immensity of Christ’s victory over sin and death in the lives of His followers. He says that in the spiritual world, we are being led by the victorious one—Jesus—in a triumphal parade that displays His victory over the forces of evil. We have been set free from our enslavement to sin, and we are now “slaves to righteousness” Paul even takes the illustration one step further by referencing the incense burned in the Roman processions. “God . . . through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” Paul says that our very lives are to be a sweet-smelling reminder of the victory we find in Jesus. The scent of G-d’s grace is supposed to linger in the lives of those we encounter on a daily basis.

Today, I believe you need to picture yourself being led through the streets of your town, on display to your friends and family as a winner – a victor in the battlefield that is Jesus Christ. When Jesus is the victor, no one can rain on your parade!

What are some practical ways to celebrate and remember the day that Jesus set you free from your sin?

What freedoms and blessings do you enjoy now because of Christ’s victory on the cross? 

Pastor Dave