Jesus Defeated or Jesus Defeated the Enemy?

In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"—Luke 24:5,6

One of the bloodiest battles of history had just been fought. Napoleon and his French armies had overrun Europe winning victory in many places. At a place called Waterloo, Napoleon and his army fought Wellington and the army of England. 

In those days, news of the outcome of the battle passed from one high hill to another on the English side by flags which were waved to spell out letters. All England was waiting to hear who who won. At one point in the chain of flags, the message was signaled, "Wellington defeated."

Then suddenly, a fog interrupted the chain. The message got passed that England had lost the battle. All London was in mourning. 

But after the fog lifted, the flags were waved again. This time the complete message was signaled, "Wellington defeated the enemy." O, how that changed sorrow into joy in London and all England!

Just so with Jesus. On Friday, the message seemed to be, Jesus was defeated. His enemies got rid of him. There was great sorrow at the foot of the cross.

But when Sunday came, the message was completed. "Jesus defeated the enemy!" Sorrow was turned to joy!

Here is an important question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism: How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he has won for us by his death (past). Second, by his power we too are now resurrected to a new life (present). Third, Christ's resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection (future).

A man by the name of Troy Reeves wrote, "I am being clothed with the clothes of a king who one weekend long ago undressed himself and climbed upon  Roman tree that he might so naked, outfit me."

Peter Marshall said, "Because Jesus is risen from the dead, he is able to resurrect anything that's dead, a spiritually dead person, a dead marriage, anything!"