The Dragon Was Defeated: A Holy Week Devotional Day 3
Day 3: The Dragon’s Counterstrike — The Crucifixion and the Fatal Miscalculation Scripture: John 19; Psalm 22; Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 2:8 Theme: The chaos powers thought they were victorious — but the cross was the trap. Verses Colossians 2:15 (ESV): He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 1 Corinthians 2:8 (ESV): None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Psalm 22:12 (ESV): Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me. Devotional When the Son of Man radiated divine glory on the mount, the thrones of darkness trembled — and then rallied. The Transfiguration sounded the war horn, and the powers moved swiftly.What appeared in Jerusalem was a trial, a mockery, a crucifixion — but behind the veil, it was an ambush of demonic thrones. Paul tells us: 'None of the rulers of this age understood it; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.'They thought this was their moment to strike down the Incarnate Son before He could claim dominion. The chaos dragon, Leviathan, coiled around the hill of Golgotha, its head rearing through Roman injustice, Pharisaic envy, and Satanic whisper.But the cross — oh, the cross was not defeat. It was the bait.As Psalm 22 unfolds from Jesus’ lips, the bulls of Bashan — symbolic of demonic powers — surround Him. He is pierced, forsaken, poured out. And yet in the very act of death, the trap springs shut.He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through the cross. The blood that was spilled broke the curse. The shame they inflicted became the scepter He wields. Leviathan was speared from within. Reflection What the powers meant for evil, God wove into victory. Where in your own suffering might God be weaving triumph?
