The gates of heaven got shut down when man forgot God’s command, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Gen 2:16-17). The judgment was pronounced against the evil one, who disguised and deceived the mankind, against woman and man and the earth. Pain, sweat, curse, death and defeat proceeded from that moment, but the plan of salvation and success was also declared, “Her offspring will crash your head, and you will bite His heel” (Gen 3:15). Centuries awaited the fulfilment of this pronouncement of God, until the entire universe shook and trembled, when Christ, hanging on the cross, shouted in victory, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). This is the Good News and mystery that the entire mankind should know, believe, proclaim and benefit from, for this brings the “victory that blazes like a burning torch in the night” (Is 62:1) as prophesied by Isaiah.

Abba, thank you for sending your Son to bring us the victory. Let your Spirit inscribe this truth deep in our hearts, in Jesus’ name, Amen.