Wellington Defeated?

It was the year 1815, and the British, under Wellington’s leadership, were about to meet Napoleon at Waterloo. Napoleon had marched right across Europe…and anyone who had gotten in his way! He seemed almost inhuman, undefeatable. The future of England – and the entire world, for that matter – hung in the balance. And so it was that England anxiously awaited news of the outcome of the monumental battle.

Arrangements had been made to have the news flashed across the English Channel by blinker lights, using Morse Code. Throughout the day watchmen on the English coast scanned the horizon, watching and waiting, eagerly looking for some sign of the outcome. At long last the lights began to flash their anxiously awaited message:

“W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N…”

The people hung breathlessly on every letter.

“W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N…D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D….”

Just then a thick fog began to settle over the Channel. “Wellington defeated?” Oh, God, no! Gloom and despair spread across the nation. All was lost!

Hours later the fog lifted and the watchers, remaining on duty to await further news or instructions, saw the lights continuing to blink out their message. And as they watched, this time they got the entiremessage:

“W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N…D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D…N-A-P-O-L-E-O-N….”

The first message had been incomplete! It was only a partial message! The exact opposite of what they had assumed was true. And so with the message of Easter. On Good Friday the message was: “C-H-R-I-S-T…D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D….” But by Easter’s sunrise, God’s full message to the world became clear:

“C-H-R-I-S-T…D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D…S-I-N…A-N-D…D-E-A-T-H!”

As we celebrate Easter this year, let us remember both the price that was paid for us and the victory that is won for us. Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed and in deed!

Declaring His Victory,

Pastor Dave