RESPECTING JESUS AS LORD

Luk. 6:46 ... "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"

      From the very beginning of our Christian instruction we are taught to call Jesus "Lord."  This term signifies one who has authority.  In ancient times slaves referred to their masters as "lords," because they were in absolute subjection to them.  The rulers of cities and kingdoms were often called "lords" in consequence of the power they exercised in their domains.  Sarah is said to have called Abraham "lord" as she obeyed his leadership of their home, (I Pet. 3:6).  In doing this she is used as a model for Christian women, whom God wills to be in subjection to their husbands, (I Pet. 3:1).  

      When the word "lord" is applied to Jesus, the idea of power and authority assumes superior proportion.  Jesus is said to be the "Lord of lords and King of kings," (Rev. 17:14).  This means that He holds supreme power over everyone else who claims power as a lord and that He has absolute authority as THE KING over all others invested with the authority of kingship.  Jesus declared that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me," (Mat. 28:18).  Whenever anyone refers to Jesus as "lord," therefore, he ought to have clearly in view His complete power over both the spiritual and material worlds.  Also, he should bring his life into harmony with that infinite power by subjecting both mind and conduct to the divine will expressed within the context of that power.  

      As He looked forward through the generations of the Christian Age, however, Jesus saw that an incongruity would develop between disciples calling Him "Lord" and their obedience in conformity therewith.  Through thoughtless usage the word has lost its meaning and is hardly more than an empty title.  Like the "mac" in MacDonald, the "O" in O'Neil, and the "ham" in Graham, the significance of the word "Lord" in Lord Jesus Christ has disappeared in the mists of bygone ages.  Those who would never wear His name in religion still call Him, Lord Jesus; yet, they will not subject themselves to His power and authority.

      In His sermon in Luke 6, from which the text above is taken, Jesus sets guidelines for Christian living that are very challenging.  We who consider ourselves His disciples and call Him "Lord" would do well to think about these instructions and determine whether our use of that title is meaningful or meaningless.  Do we hunger for the spiritual food of God's revelation as much as for the fine food in elegant restaurants? (v.21)  Do we adapt our behavior and lifestyle to fit the fashion of society, or do we reject the part of it that is ungodly and then endure ridicule for nonconformity? (vs. 22-23)  Do we retaliate with cruel speech and hateful actions against those who make themselves our enemies, or do we repay evil with lovingkindness and supplications on their behalf? (vs. 27-36)  Are we keen critics of everyone about us as though our perceptions of life are unassailable, or do we put ourselves under the microscope to discover our own flaws? (vs. 37-45)

      It is so easy for us to circumscribe a small part of the gospel, exalt it as paramount, and condemn those who do not share our myopic vision.  From that small world we confidently call Jesus "Lord" and think we have submitted to His authority.  But what about the things He taught us so explicitly in Luk. 6:20-46 that are summarized in the preceding paragraph (above)?  It takes no special perception to know that most of us who call Jesus "Lord" fall far, far short of conducting ourselves by these instructions of Jesus.  His question, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?,"should humble us as we remind ourselves of it each day,  For in that humility we will be led by an ongoing repentance to conform our lives ever closer to the pattern that is "the way of the Lord."

JESUS, THE SUPREME LEADER

Luk. 5:11 ... "When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him."

      When they are first introduced in the gospel records, Peter, James, and John were partners in a fishing enterprise on the Sea of Galilee.  After toiling all night on one occasion and catching nothing, they beached their ships and were cleaning their nets when a great multitude of people approached them along the shore.  This crowd was following the remarkable Teacher from nearby Nazareth whose name was Jesus.  Because the people were pressing Him, Jesus asked Peter to let Him enter his boat and then cast out a little way into the sea.  From this more convenient position Jesus taught the people for some time.  Then He told Peter to let down his net into the sea.  Now Peter was an experienced fisherman and knew it wasn't likely he would have any luck, but at Jesus' word he did as he was told.  To his astonishment the net enclosed such a school of fish that it began to break, and he signaled James and John to bring their boat over to help.  Luke then reports that "when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him," (v.11).  

      This miracle produced a turning point in the lives of the three men.  No longer would they be commercial fisherman, for they had been appointed by Jesus to be "catchers of men."  When they left their boats and nets, they became followers of Jesus.  To be a follower implies there is a leader.  Consider the necessary qualifications of a leader who is worthy of the name.  First, he must know the way to go.  There is no leader like Jesus, for no one knows the way like He does.  He proclaimed to the world, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me," (Jno. 14:6).  Of all the people who have passed through the world, or who are currently passing through it, only Jesus knows the way beyond the portal of death to the realm of eternal bliss about the throne of God.  Only Jesus came from that beautiful Place, and He alone knows the way back to it.  Is it not remarkable that some men gather followers and lead them off into the future when they themselves do not know where their courses will end?  And is it not just as remarkable that multitudes will commit their life journey to mortal men who do not know even what tomorrow will bring, when so much evidence from history proves the folly of such?  Jesus once made a poignant comment on men following men:  "They are blind guides.  And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit," (Mat. 15:14).  

      The second qualification of a leader is that he command the genuine trust of his followers.  To command this trust he must earn it as his followers benefit from the way he leads them.  Those who follow Jesus will certainly put their full trust in Him, because the benefits derived daily from the course are innumerable and incomparable.  They include:  relief from sin and its guilt, personal identity in a cause that is greater than life, peace that passes understanding, hope for eternity, and other blessings beyond count.  Those who have experienced Jesus' leadership have built such trust in Him that, when challenged to accept a new leader, at once echo the words of Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the word of eternal life," (Jno. 6:68).

      The third qualification of a leader is that he command the attention of those who follow him.  Christians give their undivided attention to Jesus because "His word possess[es] authority," (Luk. 4:32).  Jesus said that "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me," (Jno. 10:27).  Jesus' followers prove their devotion to Him as leader each day as they deny the appeals of worldly companions to think, speak, and act in the fashion of the world.  Though these appeals are often very enticing, they control their inclinations and keep on "looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith," (Heb. 12:2).

THE WORD OF TOTAL AUTHORITY

Luk. 4:32 ... "They were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority."

      Wherever Jesus went, He preached and taught the word of God.  And whenever the ears of His audience were not closed by stubborn prejudice, the people were usually astonished at the power exhibited in His doctrine.  At the end of the Sermon on the Mount it is stated that "when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who has authority, and not as their scribes," (Mat. 7:28-29).  Once, when Jesus was speaking in the temple, the Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to arrest Him, but they failed to do so.  When asked why, they replied, "No one ever spoke like this man," (Jno. 7:46).  There was in Jesus' words an unmistakable ring of power, for as He Himself said, "I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me has himself given Me a commandment -- what to say and what to speak," (Jno. 12:49).  

      The power of Jesus' doctrine was manifested against the force of evil.  In a synagogue there was a man possessed of a demon which cried out against Jesus as He came into its presence.  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of Him!"  The demon could not resist, and obeyed at once.  Then the record declares that "they were all amazed and said to one another, 'What is this word?  For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" (Luk. 4:36).

      The power of Jesus' word was also demonstrated against the force of disease.  When He entered into the house of Simon Peter, the apostle's mother-in-law was down with "a high fever."  Jesus approached her bed and "stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she arose and began to serve them," (Luk. 4:38-39).  The gospel writers record many instances when Jesus, at a word of command, healed those who were dumb, blind, epileptic, and leprous.

      The power of Jesus' word against the forces of nature was grandly illustrated when He was crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples in a fishing boat.  As He slept, a great storm arose.  The force of the wind and waves threatened to capsize the small craft.  In terror the men woke Jesus and directed His attention to the formidable danger.  Without alarm Jesus arose and "rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace!  Be still!'  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm," (Mrk. 4:39).  Never before or since has nature responded to the voice of any other man.

      The power of Jesus' word was even exhibited over the force of death on several occasions.  On one of them His friend, Lazarus of Bethany, had been dead four days and was sealed in a tomb when Jesus arrived.  After having the tomb opened,"He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!'  The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth," (Jno. 11:43-44).  Only the word of Jesus is powerful enough to cause the grave without resistance to yield up its prize.

      As we consider this word so powerful that it subdued demons, cured disease, controlled the force of nature, and raised the dead, should not we, too, be "astonished" at it?  Should not its authority motivate us also to surrender to its direction?  No one is wise who comes into contact with Jesus' word and refuses to be moved by its power to subject his life to its rule.  For Jesus' teaching is THE authority that supercedes all human law, all human wisdom, and all natural law.  His word of command will subject the universe to destruction in the end.  And in that final day His word will also raise the dead and judge both the righteous and the wicked.   

WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED

Luk. 3:22 ... "The Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove, and a Voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased'."

      Only of Jesus could God ever say, "With You I am well pleased."  The Father commended His Son in the flesh without reservation.  The unique way in which Jesus conducted His life evoked this unique commendation.  Although He was the prime target of Satan's attempt to seduce with temptation, He never for an instant yielded to the allurements.  We are assured that Jesus "in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin," (Heb. 4:15).  There are a few godly men who discipline themselves enough to hold temptation at bay, but from time to time even they will to some degree yield and commit sin.  Paul declared that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom. 3:23).  All, that is, except one -- Jesus Christ!  Never did one of the "flaming darts of the evil one" (Eph. 6:16) penetrate His spiritual armor.

      Jesus, in the status of man, pleased God without reservation because He always fulfilled the will of His Father.  Jesus is quoted as having said to His Father, "Behold, I have come to do Your will," (Heb. 10:9).  The guiding principle of His journey on earth was to do the things that God had sent Him here to do.  Anything that detracted from this policy was excluded from His conduct.  When Satan suggested He do otherwise, Jesus rebuked Him firmly by saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God," (Mat. 4:4).  Many people do the will of God some of the time; a few people do the will of God most of the time; but only Jesus did the will of God ALL of the time.

      Jesus pleased God without reservation because all that He ever did was good.  As Peter was introducing Jesus to the Gentile strangers in Cornelius' household, he declared that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  He went about doing good," (Acts 10:38).  Doing good was the norm of Jesus' life.  It was a norm, however, that was not a mean of variation.  That is, doing good was not the average of the merits of His activities.  In other people there is a blend of good deeds and bad deeds, so that the average may come out to the value of "good."  It was not so with Jesus!  EVERYTHING He did was good!  There was no good-to-bad spectrum through which His conduct ranged.  The people who were His contemporaries and observed His activities first hand "were astonished beyond measure, saying, 'He has done all things well'." (Mrk. 7:37).  Notice carefully the inclusive "all things"!

      When God evaluates our lives, He cannot find in them the unqualified source of pleasure that He found in Jesus.  But when He looks upon our lives and sees them centered in Christ, He will find in us the pleasure that will persuade Him to draw us unto His presence forever.  It is written of God that "it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist" to "bring many sons to glory," (Heb. 2:10).  Jesus is the Son of God, but when we obey the gospel and live by faith as loyal disciples of Christ, then we are claimed by the Father as sons of God.  Identity with Christ is the only key to God's looking upon us as "sons" and being pleased with us.  Jesus once said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love," (Jno. 15:10).  When a person surrenders his will to Christ and lets the commandments of Christ rule his life without exception, he will always remain in the aura of Jesus' love.  And since the union of Jesus and His Father is perfect, there can be no doubt that when someone is the object of Jesus' love, he is also the object of God's love.  And not only of God's love, but of God's good pleasure.  There can be nothing greater for a human than to possess God's special love and be unto Him a source of pleasure, for it will be only unto such a person that the Lord in the end will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant ... enter into the joy of your Master," (Mat. 25:23).

FINDING A PLACE FOR JESUS

Luk. 2:7 ... "And she gave birth to her first born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

      The time was near for Mary to give birth to the baby who was to be the Christ when it became necessary for her and Joseph to journey to Bethlehem to be enrolled for the tax imposed by Caesar.  Since everyone had to return to his native village for this purpose, the visitors to the small village of Bethlehem had already filled to capacity its facilities for accomodating them.  When Joseph and Mary reached the Bethlehem Inn, there was, so to speak, a NO VACANCY sign posted outside to turn them away.  The only alternative was to put up with the livestock, perhaps in one of the nearby caves.  One wonders why some kindhearted person did not give his room to the young expectant mother, but then not many people are kind enough to suffer personal inconvenience to help another in greater need.

      It is significant that when God's Son was born "there was no place for them in the inn," because it is so revealing of human nature.  As the people who crowded into Bethlehem that momentous week had no room for the greatest Person ever to be born into this world, the vast majority of people who inhabit the earth today likewise have no room for Jesus in their lives.  They are too concerned about the things they are eager to have and do that they think it too much bother to put up with Jesus.  To a large extent youth are too busy trying to have a good time and assert their independence to share their time and energy with Jesus.  Young adults feel too committed to marrying, starting their families, and establishing their careers to give Jesus any part in their lives.  Middle aged people occupy themselves with the rewards of what they have thus far achieved and the effort to build a good retirement to give much consideration to Jesus.  And the elderly concentrate upon failing health and growing weakness to exclude Jesus from the measure of good health and strength that still remains to them.

      All along the path of life, in most of its byways and environments, people callously exclude Jesus from their affairs.  He is not welcome in our schools, where it is illegal to use His name, solicit His authority, or pray to Him.  He is not welcome in our courts, where decisions are often made against Him and His cause.  He is not welcome in public, where His name is an offense to growing numbers of people from alien religious backgrounds, people who had no part in creating and developing America's greatness.  Jesus is not welcome in our business world, for His standard of decency and honor would stop in its tracks so much of the maneuvering there.  He is not welcome in the majority of homes, for the lifestyles we maintain there are too loose for Jesus' requirements of purity, order, and politeness.

      We have the sad report that Jesus "came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him," (Jno. 1:11).  The Greek text here indicates that He came to His own world (because it was He who created it), but His own people (the Jews, the ethnic group into which He was born) refused to receive Him.  Dear reader, will you and I also exclude Him from our lives with the declaration that we have no room for Him in our way of life?  Or, will we be willing to welcome Him in and make whatever changes are necessary in our thinking and behavior to make our lives fit for His continued presence?  If we are willing, a great reward lies in store for us, since the Scripture says, "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God," (Jno. 1:12).  And, it is only to God's children that His incomparable inheritance will be given in the end.

THE BIRTH OF THE HERALD

Luk. 1:14 ... "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth."

      These words were spoken by the angel Gabriel to Zacharias announcing the birth of John, who would earn the title "the Baptist."  The priest and his wife Elizabeth were already "advanced in years" when he received this startling news.  They no longer anticipated having a child, not only because of their age, but also because Elizabeth was barren.  They were, however, a godly couple.  Both were descendants of Aaron, and Zacharias was a member of the priestly order of Abijah.  In fact, he was performing his duty to offer incense in the Temple when Gabriel appeared to him.  Moreover, Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary of Nazareth who, about six months later,  was to be chosen to give birth to Jesus Christ.  Besides all this, it is said of this couple that "they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord," (v.6).  It was only such a couple that the Lord would chose to have the honor of bringing forth and rearing the herald of Christ, of whom Jesus Himself said, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist," (Mat. 11:11).  

      Gabriel told Zacharias that the birth of John would bring him "joy and gladness."  Anyone who is worthy of becoming a parent will eagerly anticipate the birth of the child and, when it arrives, will be overcome with joy and gladness.  It is indeed sad that many people receive the news of pregnancy with regret and resent the child when it comes.  Some even take the tragic step of having the poor child aborted, snuffing out its life before it ever has the chance to be born.  Such is the cruel animosity of the mother and/or father toward a budding life that has done nothing to deserve such a fate except to come into existence.  In a world that seems to become more beastly with each new day, a child is very fortunate to be born to parents who welcome its arrival with "joy and gladness."

      The angel also told Zacharias that "many will rejoice at his birth."  That is, not only would John's birth bring joy and gladness to the parents, but it would cause multitudes to rejoice as well.  This does not mean that they would rejoice in immediate response to the news of his arrival.  When John was born, most likely he was not noticed beyond the small circle of the family and local village.  He was just another Jewish baby born to a rather obscure couple out in the country.  The only probable interest was that a baby had been born to an elderly couple.  What the angel really meant, therefore, was that with the passage of time, as John performed his work with its immensely beneficial results for mankind, people would look back and "rejoice at his birth."

      When people hear about the man in prison who murdered several people, do they look back to his birth and rejoice over his entry into their society?  And what about the person whose traffic in drugs corrupts the lives of hundreds?  What about the one whose filthy lifestyle influences crowds of others to adopt it also, because he/she is a popular public figure such as an entertainer or athlete?  Or what about those who gain political or military power and then abuse it by oppressing or persecuting millions?  Do people look back to the birth of such characters and rejoice?  Certainly not!  They lament the occasions as dark days in history.  But what is the difference between the development of a benefactor like John and a malefactor like Hitler?  There are many factors to be sure.  But one of the most powerful is the influence of such parents as Zacharias and Elisabeth, who were "both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord," (v.6).  As they thus walk down the path of life, they are firmly holding in their hands the tender hands of their children.  When they must finally turn them loose, and let them walk on their own, they will at least be started on the right road and pointed in the right direction.

JESUS' VICTORY OVER DEATH

Mrk. 16:6 ... "You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has risen; He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him."

      After Jesus had died on the cross on Friday afternoon, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took His body down, wrapped it in linen cloth with spices, and then laid Him in a tomb which they sealed with a great stone.  While they did this, certain of the women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him, watched.  They evidently felt that He had not been fully prepared for final burial.  So as soon as the Sabbath had passed, they returned very early on Sunday to apply more spices.  They came to the garden tomb seeking the body of Jesus.

      There have been unknown billions of people who have lived on earth, died, and had their bodies laid to rest in the earth.  Sometimes a person is interested in finding such a one, or I should say, finding the grave where their physical remains lie.  If the person has not been dead too long, if his grave site is known, and if his grave is marked, then the person's body might be found.  If these requisites are impossible, then the person cannot be found.  But that does not mean the person's remains do not exist anywhere on earth.  All people who have died have returned to the elements of the earth from which their bodies came.  All people, that is, except One!  Of the billions who have died there is One whose "flesh did not see corruption," (Acts 2:31).  

      When the women faithful to Jesus returned to His tomb that Sunday morning,they did not find a cold, stiff body subject to the third day of decay.  Instead, they found an angel in the appearance of a young man clothed in white sitting beside the tomb.  The stone that had sealed it was rolled back, and the tomb was empty.  The linen shroud that had wrapped Jesus was lying by itself.  The napkin that had covered His head was carefully folded and laid aside.  As fear and astonishment gripped the women, the angel announced to them that their Lord had risen from the dead.  For once the grave had been unable to hold its victim.  The body of a slain Jesus is not to be found in a grave.  He triumphed over death!

      The importance and meaning that Jesus' resurrection has for Christians is unfathomable.  It is, in fact, the centerpoint of the Christian faith!  Paul states emphatically that "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins," (I Cor. 15:17).  Had Jesus not come forth from the grave, Christian faith would be worthless, and everyone would still be in slavery to his sins.  Satan would have won the victory at Calvary, and mankind would belong to him.  We gladly read, however, "But, in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ... For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive," (I Cor. 15:20,22).  

      When Jesus came forth from the tomb, He won a victory over death not only for Himself, but also for all who believe and obey Him.  To have faith in Christ and to live in obedience to His teachings is to be "in Christ."  And Paul said that "in Christ shall all be made alive."  That is, those who accept to follow the course of the Christian life in conformity with Jesus' teaching are those whom the grave will not hold forever.  They, too, will come forth from the grave to a new, immortal, eternally glorious life.

      It is terribly grievous to commit the body of any loved one to the dark, cold ground to suffer decay.  But if that person is a faithful Christian, there is a wonderful joy that penetrates the clouds of gloom.  It is the joy born of the assurance that the risen Lord will protect the departed soul until Christ's return, when He will command death to release its captives.  At that irresistible word of power the Christian will come forth from the grave in a glorious new body designed for residence in heaven.

JESUS' VICTORY OVER SATAN

Mrk. 15:30 ... "Save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"

These words were spoken to Jesus while He was nailed to the cross.  From nine o'clock in the morning, when He was hung on the cross, until three o'clock in the afternoon, when He died, Jesus listened to such taunts from the people who passed by the hill of Golgotha.  With derision they hurled such challenges at Him, taking His passivity as proof that He was not who He claimed to be.  They were led in this verbal abuse by the chief priests and scribes, who cried out, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself.  Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross that we may see and believe," (vs. 31-32).  These statements were sarcastic to the extreme.  For these antagonists of Jesus had never believed from the beginning that He had actually "saved others."  To save others meant to forgive them of their sins, and these people had strongly objected to Jesus' claim that He had the power to forgive sins, (Mrk. 2:7).  They leveled the charge of blasphemy against Jesus for making this claim.  Furthermore, in no sense did they accept the claim that Jesus was "Christ, the King of Israel."  They contested Jesus' claim that He was the Christ, or Messiah (Mat. 22:41-45).  And when Pilate had a sign attached to the cross above Jesus, which read JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS, these very people protested, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews'," (Jno. 19:19-22).

      If Jesus was the Christ and had all the power of heaven at His disposal with only a word, why did He not use it to save Himself?  Why, after abundantly demonstrating His power to save others, did He not choose to save Himself?  Satan is quoted as having said to God, "Skin for skin!  All that a man has he will give for his life," (Job 2:4).  Jesus' life as a man was as precious to Him as ours is to us, so why did He fail to use His power to save His skin on the day of the crucifixion?  Satan also said to God, "Stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he (Job) will curse You to Your face," (v.5).  At least this is what Satan hoped would happen, for it is his vile intention to induce men to curse God, thus provoking Him to become angry at them and creating enmity between God and men.  God's reply to Satan was this, "Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life," (v.6).  It came to pass, however, that Job proved Satan to be wrong.  He did not curse God when Satan smote his skin, bone, and flesh with a horribly painful, loathsome disease.

      If Job was a test case in loyalty to God against the provocations of Satan, Jesus was infinitely more so.  God let Satan loose on His Son and did not even set the limit He did for Job, "only spare His life."  He permitted Satan to go all the way against the skin, flesh, and bone of Jesus to subject them to the power of death.  Had Jesus resisted by calling forth His power to save Himself and come down from the cross, He would have affirmed Satan's claim, "All that a man has he will give for his life."  To have thus saved His own skin, Jesus would have dishonored God by betraying His loyalty to Him.  But to suffer death rather than spare the agony of Satan touching His flesh and bone amounted to a colossal defeat for the devil.  In his best effort against God, when he had the opportunity to prevail over His Son subjected to the limitations of human flesh, Satan failed totally.  Jesus restrained the natural urge of the flesh to save its destruction by any means and proved Satan wrong.  For this great victory God recalled Jesus from the grave, restored Him to His original seat of glory in heaven, and pronounced Him Lord over all.  In winning this personal victory over Satan, Jesus also won a victory for every person who will put his faith in Him as Christ the Son of God, who will then resist Satan in that faith, and who will refuse to let his flesh rule his spirit.