A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

08Dec 2017 by Linder Road Admin

On December 8th, 1941, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt voiced these now legendary words, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” American forces were joining the Second World War.

The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Wikipedia Commons.

What would it have been like to hear those words? Perhaps some of you can remember hearing the scratchy, static-y voice of the President coming through your radios. It would have been a little scary; it would have been a little awe-inspiring. (In today’s terms, he could have said, “It’s ON now!”) And the rest, as they say, is history. US forces entered the war and went on to vanquish Hitler’s forces in Europe as well as Hirohito’s in the Pacific.

It makes me think of another day, though. We don’t know the exact date of this particular day, although we can get pretty close. A spring day in Judea, Roman forces have arrested, tried and crucified another self-proclaimed Messiah…a trouble maker! Think of this day from an unusual perspective — from Satan’s…

“It is finished…” (John 19:30) He’s dead! He’s really dead! We won! We killed him; we really got these people to kill GOD’S SON!!! This is so great! He thought he had a plan — thought these people were going to love and adore The Son and make him their king! What a stupid idea!!! The victory party is ON!!

Yeah, but not for you and me. For Satan — yes, that was a terrible day. His plot to get Jesus killed had worked. However, he never expected the tomb to be empty three days later. For Satan and his angels, an awful day. For you and me — the greatest day EVER!

Empty tomb with three crosses on a hill side.

THREE DAYS LATER: Wait — what?! The tomb is empty?! He’s NOT THERE?!?! This is awful! He said he was going to overcome death and all…but not this!! What do we do now?! We…we lose now…no matter what, don’t we?! The people now have a chance! This is a terrible day — a date which will live in infamy!!!

This season, as worldwide, Jesus’ birth is commemorated, do not forget that date which, in Satan’s mind, will live in infamy — the day God defeated him through the incredible sacrifice of Christ…and an empty tomb!

“‘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 — ESV)