TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION
Great victories in the Roman Empire were marked by ceremonial triumphal processions. These were the grandest events of those times and consisted of fiery speeches, distribution of gifts, orchestrated processions through the city and display of prisoners and booty from war. The star of the show, the victor himself, decked in royal regalia would ride a chariot pulled by four horses, while wearing a laurel wreath and with a golden crown held above his head by a servant. This procession signaled to the empire the unrivaled superiority of the victor and triumph of war.
Paul uses this imagery to describe a disciple’s journey with Christ.
‘But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?’ (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
No matter how many achievements or victories a person can claim in this life, he cannot truly be a victor unless he is able to overcome sin and death, the ultimate enemy. Look as far and as wide as you possible can and you would find none other than Christ who has defeated them. And he did it on the cross when he gave himself up as an unblemished sacrifice for our sins. The journey of a disciple therefore is one of a triumphal procession made possible in Christ. The life he lives by faith in Christ is one where he declares to the entire world that sin and death has been defeated.
What does this mean? A disciple no longer needs to live like he did before or like the world does. There is no slavery to fears, to people or to possessions. He lives unencumbered and what is best is that death can no longer be menace that threatens to swallow whole everything that has been gained in this life. Life is lived to the full and death is welcomed to a better beginning. Paul goes on to say when life is lived such, a disciple becomes the aroma of Christ.
An aroma is something different that catches our attention. It can be pleasant or nasty. The difference demonstrated by a disciple’s life is refreshing and rejuvenating to one who is saved and appreciates the great gift of salvation. However to one who has rejected Christ and his salvation, this aroma becomes a nasty smell, something to revolt against and oppose. Hence life for a disciple is a combination of receiving encouragement and facing opposition. That does not diminish the fact that his life is still a triumphal procession in Christ marching toward eternal life.
