Faith Is the Victory
Scripture Reading — Mark 15:37-41
“Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Mark 15:39
The first verse of the book of Mark identifies it as “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). And now near the end of the book we find this starling confession by a war-weary soldier: “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Mark had a reason for beginning and ending his book in this way. To a world obsessed with power, he was saying that although armies may conquer the world, Jesus is greater than any army or empire or other power. Faith in Christ gives victory.
Roman emperors thought of themselves as gods. They put their faces on Roman coins along with the inscription Divi Filius, meaning “Son of God.” So when Christians professed faith in Jesus as the Son of God, they risked being charged as traitors to the empire. Mark’s clear declaration that Jesus is the Son of God gave them encouragement in Christ.
Maybe you are in prison as you read this meditation. If so, be assured that Jesus Christ, the almighty Son of God, can give you true liberty, the freedom of your soul from sin’s bondage. Even behind bars, you can be free!
Wherever you are, if you are facing troubles that seem overwhelming, know this: Jesus, the Son of God, is bigger and mightier than any challenge or crisis. Place your faith in Jesus, and he will not let you down.
Lord Jesus, Son of God, as I look at big obstacles in my life, help me to place my hope and trust in you. Thank you for your strength and peace even in times of struggle. Amen.
About the author — R. Scott Greenway
R. Scott Greenway was born in Mexico City in 1964, the fourth child of missionary parents. He graduated from Calvin College in 1986, Calvin Theological Seminary in 1991, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2002. He and his wife, Kelly, have four children. He pastored the Irving Park Christian Reformed Church in Midland Park, New Jersey, and currently serves as pastor of Caledonia Christian Reformed Church in Michigan. He enjoys a variety of outdoor sports, including hunting and fishing.
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