Matthew 12:20 — A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Yesterday I talked about the historical perspective that all Christians should have. Today I want to talk about the logical end of that perspective … the victory that is coming.

There is a battle coming at the end of days. In chapter 19 of the Revelation we read that Jesus will lead The armies of heaven to victory over the armies of the world’s governments. It is often understood (or more properly misunderstood) that the battle will be limited to the Mountain of Meggido, but Ezekiel and Jeremiah make it clear that it will spread over all the earth.

There is a battle coming, and a great victory — but that is not THE victory.

This passage in Matthew 12:17-21 points to another, greater, victory. It’s an interesting passage in a way, because the prophecy in Isaiah to which it refers was talking about the Persian king, Cyrus. Matthew uses it, however, to talk about how Jesus creates victory for every Christian. 

Jesus will bring justice — a world in which it is possible for us to love God and our neighbors as we should.

Jesus will bring His victory by the power of love. It is a mistake to believe that His victory ultimately rests on the use of force. There will be a battle … but in the end, it is a battle of His enemies choosing. Jesus is not a violent warrior King and nor is He a harsh master. We may be weak and failing servants, but He will not punish us, but build us up to victory.

Jesus brings hope — and the victory of love — to all the world.

The victory in the battle at the end of time is yet to be. The victory of our release from the eternal bondage of sin is a continuous victory. Yet there is one more victory to talk about. It is the victory which has already been completely and finally won. It is the victory that makes the other victories possible. It is the victory that Jesus won upon the cross.

Now is a good time to remember, perhaps, that for a moment victory on the cross looked like defeat. At a time, perhaps, when it seems that there has been a great defeat it might be well to remember that victory might look like defeat, that strength might look like weakness … and that there will be a final reckoning at the end of days.