On June 18, 1815, one of the most decisive battles of the world's history was fought. It was on the continent of Europe near the little village of Waterloo, which lies about ten miles southeast of Brussels., the Belgian capital. Here the British commander, Wellington, with his mixed forces composed of Belgians, Brunswickers, Hanoverians, Scots, and English, faced and overwhelmed the superior and hitherto spectacularly triumphant French army under Napoleon. This defeat marked the close of the Napoleonic drama, and resulted in the banishment of "the little Corporal," as Napoleon was known, to the rocky islet of St. Helena.
At that time news traveled slowly, for our modern means of communication were unknown. The outcome of Wellington's mission to Europe was of vital interest to the threatened British Isles, and most anxiously did the Empire await news from the battlefront. At last, by sailing-vessel to the south coast of England, came the word of this history-making battle. Then by semaphore it was signaled overland to London.
Atop the Winchester Cathedral in southern England, the semaphore began slowly to spell out the message. Letter by letter came the words, "WELLINGTON DEFEATED—." A dense fog had settled over the city. The signals could no longer be seen; and thus the sad, heart sickening news of the incomplete message was relayed to London, spreading gloom and deep despair —"WELLINGTON DEFEATED.”
In due time the fog lifted. The cathedral semaphore again became visible, spelling out the complete, joyful message: "WELLINGTON DEFEATED THE ENEMY." Like prairie fire the news spread over the land, lifting the hearts of the people from gloom to gladness and praise.
Nineteen centuries ago, on a rough, barren hill outside the gates of Jerusalem, a battle of more far-reaching importance was fought and won. There Jesus the Son of God entered into combat with sin and death. He gave Himself willingly in a shameful death upon Calvary's cross. It was for the sins of others—for you and me—that the sinless One died that He might bring us to God.
To His disciples, at the time, it may have seemed a colossal defeat as His limp body was placed in the tomb of Joseph. To them Calvary meant but one thing: "JESUS DEFEATED." Listen to the disciples' dismal dirge during those three days of Christ's entombment: "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done." Luke 24:2121But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. (Luke 24:21).
But suddenly the fog lifted. The glorious radiance of that first Lord's day morning flooded Joseph's garden, announcing the joyful, gloom-dispelling news: JESUS DEFEATED DEATH. Those three words enshrine the real meaning of what the world calls Easter. Friend, sing them over and over again: JESUS DEFEATED DEATH.
What a victory was His! He, the sinless One, had been made sin for us. He had borne our sins in His own body on the tree. There He had submitted Himself to the full judgment of God—a judgment due to you and me—and in death that blessed body had been sealed in Joseph's new tomb. But sin, death, and the grave were powerless to hold Him!
On that third day morning, the resurrection morning, the angel's message to the sorrowing hearts who sought their Lord was: "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. HE IS NOT HERE: FOR HE IS RISEN, as He said." Matt. 28:5, 65And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5‑6).
Christ arose from the dead; and in His triumphant resurrection He spoke peace to the sad hearts of His own.
Friends, have you heard the message this mighty Conqueror has for you? If not, will you respond to Him now? His Word says: "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH." Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25).