“Even Angels Long to Look into These Things” The message of Christus Victor

Luci Shaw “Unspeakably wise, He is wisely speechless—the Word without a word. Quiet He lies, whose vigor hurled a universe. He sleeps whose eyelids have not closed before.”

I Peter 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those that have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

The Gospel According to the Angels Luke 2:8-20 The angels’ message (8-14) The shepherds’ response (15-20)

Christus Victor God became incarnate and was united to humanity in Jesus, the second Adam, who defeated the powers for us and our salvation. The story of the Bible focuses in on creation, incarnation, and re-creation. God has by the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus trampled down death, destroyed the gates of hell, and overcome the powers of evil. In Christ the nature of humanity has been renewed, and the way to heaven has been open.

Christus Victor verses Genesis 3:15 “…He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” Acts 26:18 “…to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive the forgiveness of sins.” Galatians 1:4 “Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age…” II Tim. 2:26 “…that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” Hebrews 2:14, 15 “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.” I John 3:8 “Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.”

John Chrysostom Let no one weep for his sins: forgiveness is risen from the tomb. Let no one fear death: the Savior's death has set us free. When it held him chained, he struck it down. When he descended to hell, he plundered it. He destroyed it for attacking his flesh, as Isaiah had foretold: hell was dismayed at his coming. It was dismayed because it was trampled on; it was in bitterness because it was deceived. It had taken hold of a body and was confronted by God. It had taken hold of the visible, and the invisible had routed it. Death, where is thy sting? Where, hell, thy victory? Christ is risen and thou art brought to nothing. Christ is risen and the devils are fallen. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life has prevailed. Christ is risen, and the dead are delivered from the grave. For Christ, risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who sleep. To him be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.