Boo! (Part 2)

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-15 ESV).

As Christians we have a theology strong enough for every bit of the common cultural celebration of Halloween. In fact, it is strong enough for every fear of every other day of the year. This is not a night to moan and fret, but to rejoice with confident smiles and treats in hand. It is also a time for rehearsing precious truths, or teaching them for the first time. It is a time to celebrate the undaunted dominion of Christ and what it means for us as his people. So, for the next few days we will look at some specific things that can lead us out of fear and into joy. The harvest is great, and Halloween is an incredible tool for teaching our kids, and reminding ourselves of who we are in Christ. First, we must understand that we are a victorious people. Start with Jesus and his victory. All things were created in him, through him, and for him. The Apostle Paul says, “in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16). And, in our reading today, he says, at the cross, God “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (v. 5). Jesus reigns supreme over Satan and every demon, both by creation and by the cross. He commands unclean spirits and they obey him (cf. Mark 1:27); and, He is Lord even over the mental movements of Satan’s minions (cf. Revelation 17:17). It is easy to marvel at our Savior. Further, we should be amazed that he would have us join him in his great victory. Not only did he crush Satan in his death and resurrection, but he makes us a victorious people, to experience this victory with him. To be a Christian emphatically does not mean that we don’t suffer, face persecution, or even find ourselves to be the objects of demonic attack in this life. But it does mean we will win (cf. Revelation 3:21), not in our own strength, but in the power of God’s Spirit. The decisive battle has been won. The final match is just a matter of time. We are a victorious people in the world’s single most important war and celebrate with the apostle Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). That’s the real celebration at Halloween! Go ahead and enjoy this day!