Many houses have recently had displays of bunting. Bright Union Jacks celebrating VE Day – the day 75 years ago when the Nazi’s surrendered at the end of World War II. The memories are bitter-sweet. There was joy at the end of hostility and dreadful threat to life, but also sadness because of those who had risked and given their lives during the war.

Throughout history many battles and wars have been waged, many lives lost, and many victories won. Some are more famous than others; some are more far-reaching than others.

Two thousand years ago in Israel Jesus Christ was born. He lived a perfect life, but died a cruel death and rose to eternal life. This was the greatest victory of all time. He had conquered our worst and most dangerous enemy: sin. Unlike us, he always pleased God, even to the point of willingly giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth; who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to Him who judges righteously; who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed”

1 Peter 2:22-24

“As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep”

John 10:15

This victory of Jesus means that his followers can also be given eternal life when he comes back.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit”

1 Peter 3:18

He asked his followers to remember him in bread and wine (communion), memorials of his life of utter dedication, death with bloodshed and resurrection to life.

“and when [Jesus] had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same manner he also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me’”

1 Corinthians 11:24-25

Whatever victories we remember and celebrate, we should always remember this ultimate victory of Jesus Christ.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”

1 Corinthians 15:57

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We are in extraordinary times. In order to enforce social distancing the government has authorised the police to stop gatherings of groups of people, and to deter us from behaviour deemed to put ourselves or others at risk.

But there have been some problems with this. On occasions the police have been accused of ‘over-stepping the mark’, by giving orders and taking action outside of their remit. In other instances people have defied their valid instructions and questioned their authority.

Jesus encountered a great deal of hostility from the religious leaders in Israel. He spoke with great authority, which impressed the common people.

…he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes

Mark 1:22

In those days, when preaching, it was custom and practice to refer to the words of famous rabbis. But instead of this this Jesus often said “I say to you”. He even contradicted the teachers of the day, because they were imposing their own traditions rather than the commandments of God.

“…you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition”

Mark 7:9

The religious leaders, ignoring all the evidence of God’s power at work in his miracles, and the persuasive nature of his teaching, asked him:

‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who is he who gave you this authority?”

Luke 20:2.

In fact, Jesus claimed to speak with the full authority of the highest power in the universe: He spoke the words of his Father, Almighty God.

I do nothing of myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things (John 8:28).

Even a Roman centurion, who was very important, acknowledged the fact that Jesus was acting under a high authority. He said to Jesus;

“I also am a man under authority”

Matthew 8:9

This means that the words of Jesus are very important. Jesus never overstepped the mark. So we should not challenge his authority or his importance. His words are from God Himself and it is utter folly to ignore or to dismiss them.

He said:

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life

John 6:63

He also warned:

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

The police are fallible, sometimes not acting with full permission. But there are consequences if we disobey them and break the law of the land. In contrast, Jesus had full permission, always acting on God’s behalf, who has now given him ultimate authority.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth’”

Matthew 28:18

There are dire consequences for us if we ignore Jesus. Let us all take notice of what he said to us, and prepare for his coming.