The powers

How did Jesus’ death defeat the powers? Jenson, simple-minded in the best sense, says, “Jesus really and straightforwardly did defeat the high priest and the Roman procurator, the powers and principalities of political empire and religious self-assertion. An actual historical conflict occurred between an unholy alliance of Rome and Jerusalem and this lone Jew. Just in that Pilate and Caiphas sought to silence the prophet and rabbi who called them to account before the Father, their power was demonic. And already by his death he won; he would not save himself by acquiescence.”

By His resurrection, that victory is extended. It might have seemed that the power of empire and religion had silenced Jesus; but He came back and continued speaking. It might have seemed that the alliance of corrupt power and corrupt religion “belonged to the constitution of being,” and that “endless revanchism was the final meaning of fallen created history.” But Jesus, “this terminally committed defier of the world’s power” is declared Son and Word, and thus it becomes clear that “the bluster and disguises of this world’s powers are become mere illusion.”