All Saints' Day

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. 1 John 5:4

The celebration of All Saints' Day can be summarized in one word – victory! This is not victory in the worldly sense of winning a game or something like that – but the victory we celebrate is the victory won for us and given to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The world sees victory in a different way. In the sports world, one of the most recognizable symbols of victory is the Nike “swoosh”. Nike has made millions of dollars because people want to wear that same “swoosh” that numerous championship athletes wear. In fact, the brand name “Nike” comes from the Greek word “nikos” which means – victory. But of far more importance than any sports victory is the victory spoken of in 1 John 5:4, “And this is the victory that has overcome the world”.

This All Saints' Day we celebrate the victory that was won for us by Jesus Christ – a victory that has overcome the world and the sin and death that it includes. As we remember our loved ones who have died and are now rejoicing in eternal life – we give thanks to God for the victory he won for them to give them eternal life. We also rejoice in the certain fact that Christ’s victory is our victory – not just when we die, but right now that victory is ours!
As we celebrate All Saints' Day, let our hearts and minds rejoice along with all the saints on earth and in heaven as we remember the victory that is ours through Jesus Christ!