Have you ever considered the closing verses of Isaiah 53? Many will agree that this chapter speaks of Jesus, the Messiah, who was "wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isa 53:5). But does the reference stop there? Perhaps we should consider the rest of this chapter too...
"He (Jesus) shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall DIVIDE THE SPOIL with the strong..." (Isa 53:11-12).
Do we see what is happening here? Jesus was victorious on our behalf! We may have heard this before, but do we really believe it? The Lord Jesus, in conquering Satan and all of his hosts, has made complete victory available for every believer. He is Lord over all principalities and powers. He is the "Strong Man" who has overcome. Satan has been stripped of his authority and now Christ Jesus is dividing the spoil with His church (Lk 11:20-22; Ps 19:5; Col 2:15).
Friend, Jesus has not won such an almighty victory in vain! Rather, He has done so TO SHARE THE SPOILS! Jesus said, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils" (Lk 11:20-22).
The spoils are ours! In other words, we too can have such a complete victory! Do you really believe that?
Interestingly, Jesus (being fully man) was tempted in all three areas of man's being: spirit, soul and body, in the three areas of sin: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Matt 4:1-11; Lk 4:1-13; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 Jn 2:15-16). Satan had tempted the first Adam in these same arenas, but he fell (Gen 3:1-6). However, the last Adam proved victorious! And on our behalf!
- He overcame the temptation in His body: the lust of the flesh:
Lk 4:2-4 "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
- He overcame the temptation in His soul: the lust of the eyes:
Lk 4:5-8 "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
- He overcame the temptation in His spirit: the pride of life:
Lk 4:9-12 "And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
These personal victories are what paved the way for His corporate victory on the cross. Being the Head of the new creation race, Jesus personally conquered Satan in His life. Having conquered the devil for Himself, He could now conquer him for His people. No demon spirit could resist His perfect life and power. How marvelous that He was able to say "for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (Jn 14:30). Don't you want that same testimony?
It's possible! We have the victorious life of our Lord inherent within us; we are one Spirit (1 Cor 6:17). We are "members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Eph 5:30). As we personally overcome in our individual lives, the corporate power and force of the Body of Christ will only grow stronger! "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Lk 22:31-32).
This is what the world has been loking for: a real and genuine display of God's glory, from a people that really believe Him! The earth is waiting, even standing on tip-toes (Rom 8:18-21)!
Can we believe Him for the seemingly impossible? Can we believe Him for the spoils? "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matt 19:26).
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