Veni, Vidi, Vici

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

Julius Caesar is considered by many to be one of the greatest military commanders in history whose conquests considerably expanded the boundaries of the Roman Empire. In about 46 BC he fought a battle against Pharnaces II of Pontus (a region in modern day Turkey) who had rebelled against Roman rule. After obtaining a swift total victory Caesar sent a simple, but powerful message back to Rome and the Senate with the Latin words Veni Vidi Vici: I came, I saw, I conquered.

The New Testament records the good news of a different kind of leader who came and saw and conquered. The Son of God came to earth, the Word became flesh; he saw the human condition by experiencing it first-hand in the flesh; and he conquered human nature, sin and death through a sinless life and his resurrection.

Christmas is a time when Christians reflect on the fact that Jesus came to earth; other festivals focus on the facts that he also saw and conquered.

The Roman Empire was spread mainly by force of arms through the power of the sword, and its decline and fall are well documented. However, the kingdom of God, inaugurated by the coming of the Son and spread by the power of the Holy Spirit and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, (Ephesians: 6:17) is eternal; as the above verse from the prophet Isaiah states, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”

Prayer
Father, we thank you that you that your Son willingly gave up his power and glory to become a human being and that through him we have eternal life in his everlasting kingdom.
Amen

Study by Eddie Marsh

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About the Author:
Eddie Marsh attends Grace Communion International in Sheffield.

Local Congregation:
Grace Communion, Sheffield
Please email for Meeting Place

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Email: sheffield@gracecom.org.uk