Victory through defeat Week 14, 2015

“Surely you mean victory in defeat, not through defeat...”

Well consider the circumstances. Never in this country has a sitting President organised an election he also contested and lost.

“What’s the big deal? People must win or lose in elections.”

Don’t you get? Even before the final count was announced he congratulated his opponent, openly accepting defeat.

“So where is his victory? Is he not the one being caricatured as being crucified on a cross with the caption “it is finished” on social media? Where is the victory?”

The victory is twofold. Loosing is regarded as defeat, and accepting even congratulating the rival is seen as weakness by many. “Why not challenge the process or keep mute and allow your supporters speak?” Many might say in black Africa. But by conceding defeat his status has transformed to a statesman. So many people are praising him, including his rivals. By being the first to do that in modern Nigeria he has carved a niche for himself and set the standard for others to follow. The other victory is ours. So many people feared bloodshed whatever the outcome of the election, but this singular action has doused tension and saved God knows how many lives. It is an Easter experience.

“You have come again. What concerns this with Easter other than the coincidence of it happening about the Holy Week?”

Coincidence you say? You brought it up. When Jesus meekly submitted to death he was praised. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"Matt 27:54 (NIV). His death was looked upon as a defeat, but that was the pathway to victory. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Heb2:9, 14-15(NIV). His submission to death means life for us all, and his being raised to life assures our justification: whom God will credit righteousness — for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Rom 4:24-25 (NIV)

“Are you saying the man is a type of Christ? Watch what you say o.”

Not at all, fear not. It is just that the happenings around him at this time are a compelling typology.

 “Big theological terms! So what is the lesson?”

The principle works in all spheres of life. Do the right thing always. Even when you lose, in handling it with grace you actually win, and help so many others– like Jesus.