The fourth letter of cross is S. Jesus went to the Cross for Satan’s Defeat

John 12:31  “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”

Hebrews 2:14"Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil."

From the very beginning of the earth Genesis 3:15 points to the cross at the fall of mankind, when God cursed the serpent and warned, "I will put an enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers, He will crush your head and you will strike his heel."  Satan will get his licks through the death and pain of Jesus' suffering, but the cross was the very means by which Jesus defeated Satan.

 We need to remember that this was the very battle ground to which the prophecy in Genesis referred. There is a spiritual battle that Satan and Jesus are fighting for our very lives. The cross became Satan's way of destroying God's son, but he was no match for Jesus. In Jesus’ crucifixion came, not the death of Jesus, but the judgment of Satan himself. With Christ's death on the cross came our atonement for sin. When He took the wrath of God for our sins, it bought our forgiveness and overthrew Satan's kingdom and his power in our lives. With judgment paid, "now there is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus".

Satan was defeated, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death. Satan cannot get around the person of Jesus. He is unable to conquer Him.  The cross became the defeat of the evil one and the power of death over us. The greatest sign of the defeat of Satan is the change of character the cross produces. When you have racial reconciliation - that demonstrates part of the defeat of Satan.

I see how our nation is divided. I see how the One who brings unity is distained to the point you cannot even mention the name of Jesus in public settings.  Satan is the author of hatred that affects us all, but Satan is defeated at the cross when rich and poor come together and find oneness in Jesus. It is the power of the cross that unifies the educated and uneducated, the tribesmen of New Guinea and the sophisticates of Washington.  The power of the cross is instrumental in changing drunks into respectable citizens and changes murderers like Paul into people willing to give his life for others.  

Satan is defeated in our own lives with the power of Christ living within. One man wrote of a particular problem which plagued him. He went to doctors and psychiatrists and spent large sums of money seeking relief only to be told that he would probably have this problem for the rest of his life. He contemplated suicide in his troubled state. Then he turned on the television to find a Billy Graham crusade being broadcasted. He heard the message of the cross preached. This man got on his knees and for the first time in his life wept in sorrow over his sin and asked Jesus’ forgiveness. He realized he had part in that crucifixion for his sin. He understood that Jesus’ love extended even to him. He prayed to receive Christ and became a changed man. He testifies that what plagued him has left and now he knows victory in Jesus’ name. It is the power of the cross to overcome the works of the evil one. The cross is for judgment against Satan and his power. It is the power of Jesus that conquered him.

Colossians 2:15 tells of Jesus having disarmed the powers and authorities. He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them on the cross.

Application:  Give over to Jesus whatever problem is plaqueing you.

Prayer:  Lord, in my self I cannot conquer my flesh, but You have put Your Spirit in me and as I stuggle I cry, Abba Father.