EPHESIANS 4:8

“Therefore it says, ‘WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE THE CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO PEOPLE.’

As I write this blog, the 2024 Olympic Summer Games are taking place in Paris, France. The world is watching as athlete after athlete either wins or loses in their competition. Some will come away with gold, silver or bronze medals. The  rest, well they go home empty handed. Victorious or defeated. It’s one or the other. There are no “ties.”

Aren’t you glad that Jesus is the Victor? He reigns supremely. Paul is quoting from Psalm 68:18 which says, “You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among people,” Most scholars agree this Psalm is a reference to 2 Samuel 6’s story of David bringing up the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. You might want to take a minute or two and read that whole chapter.

APPLICATION

What does this mean for us? How can we apply Christ’s victory over His enemies to our lives today? I think one good explanation is given in Ellicott’s Commentary. “St. Paul accordingly uses it with a bold variation suiting his context. The key to this use is found in the truth enunciated of our Lord in Acts 2:33, that ‘being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this.’ Our Lord, as the Head of humanity, receives only in order to give.”

That’s it! Christ was victorious in order to bestow on us His gifts. What are those gifts? Romans 5:17 shows us one. “For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” He has made us righteous!

We saw in yesterday’s verse (4:7) that we are given the gift of grace. We know we are given our salvation through Christ alone. He was victorious over sin and the grave in order to bestow eternal life on all who follow Him. Pretend you’re on that Olympic stage today holding your own gold medal and give praise to the one and only true Victor, Jesus Christ.

I will give You praise for the victories You have won on my behalf.