{"id":8044,"date":"2020-04-13T16:21:03","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T20:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/?p=8044"},"modified":"2020-04-13T16:26:27","modified_gmt":"2020-04-13T20:26:27","slug":"not-a-loser-more-than-a-conqueror","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/not-a-loser-more-than-a-conqueror\/","title":{"rendered":"Not a Loser &#8211; More Than a Conqueror"},"content":{"rendered":"<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through the eyes of\u00a0natural reasoning, the cross is the symbol\u00a0of an absolute shameful beating,\u00a0and the crucified\u00a0is\u00a0the greatest loser. Nonetheless, in the eyes of faith, the cross is the most\u00a0unique instrument\u00a0of victory, and\u00a0the\u00a0resurrected\u00a0Jesus\u00a0the only and absolute conqueror.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:300,&quot;335559739&quot;:150}\" data-wac-het=\"1\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why\u00a0would Jesus look like a loser through\u00a0the eyes of natural reasoning?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:40}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Jesus&#8217; life failed to depict a<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0king on his way to victory, in fact<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> quite the opposite. <\/span><em>He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in\u00a0His appearance that we should desire Him.\u00a0He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. (Is 53:2-3 NVI)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Isaiah&#8217;s pro<span data-contrast=\"auto\">phecy describes what the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0eye<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s of natural reasoning were<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0going to see in Jesus:\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">no more than an ordinary man.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">L<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">et&#8217;s consider the last days of H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is life. Jesus approached<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Jerusalem,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0surrounded by crowds shouting:<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>&#8220;Hosanna to the Son of David!&#8221;<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>&#8220;Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!&#8221;\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>&#8220;Hosanna in the highest heaven!&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0(Matt.\u00a021:9)\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jerusalem was stirred up when He entered the city, and the people asked: &#8220;Who is this?&#8221; Their eyes did not see the beauty or majesty of a king but a common man.\u00a0\u00a0Politically speaking, regardless of what they were seeing, this was the most reasonable time to become a king. However, Jesus distances\u00a0Himself from the crowd. The night He was arrested, we don&#8217;t find Him busy doing strategies or cheering people up or gathering followers like anyone preparing himself to take a throne.\u00a0 Instead, we\u00a0find that Jesus has fallen on His face (Matt 26:39b), even in agony, sweating &#8220;like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.&#8221; He was praying earnestly to the Father, &#8220;\u2026if You want, let this cup pass from Me.&#8221;\u00a0(Luke\u00a022:42,44)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The traitor Judas comes o<span data-contrast=\"auto\">n the scene with a mob to take Jesus by force, and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">disciples fled (Luke 22: 54-57).\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A court, made up of His enemies<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and false witnesses<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0judged Jesus speedily and found him guil<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ty (Mar 14: 55-59). They bring Him to Pilate and then sent Him to Herod. Both considered H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im not worthy of death (Luke\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">23: 1,4-9). Yet, Pilate orders H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">be examined. The soldiers mock Him, crown H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im with thorns, whip, and beat hi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">m brutally. Then, they bring H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im back to the Jews (John 19: 1-3). At this time, Jesus would have been disfigured because of the cruelty of the Roman soldiers (Isa 53: 3).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Pilate tries to set him free by\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">instead\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">condemning\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Barabbas, a murderous and seditious man<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(Luke 23: 16-21)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">b<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ut the crowd pushes back hard. Pil<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ate washes his hands and turns H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im over to be crucified (Mat 27: 23-26). Jesus, with the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cross on His shoulders, begins H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is journey to Golgotha.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Does this look like the picture of a conqueror? (Luke 53:27; John 19:17, Luke 23:26)<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 No. Nor does it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to the women of Jerusal<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">em who mourn along the way for H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im (Luke 23:27). Weak and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">beaten, H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e cannot carry the cross (Ju 19:17; Ps 22:15), an<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d they have a passerby<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0help H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">im (Luke\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">23:26). Jesus makes it to Gol<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">gotha, and soldiers strip Him naked and cast lots for H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is clothes. He shows no op<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">position (Ju 19: 23-24a) while H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e is cruelly nailed to a cross.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Jesus is lifted and exposed to shame and public humiliation. Alone, beaten, and under the full wrath of God&#8217;s j<span data-contrast=\"auto\">ustice, H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e cries\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">out, &#8220;My God, my God, why<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0have\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You forsaken M<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8221; (Mar<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">k<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a015:34).<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 Would this battered, bloody<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and dying man seem like a conqueror? Wouldn&#8217;t it rather be the figure of a loser?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yes, and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t seems t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">o be the thinking of the onlookers mocking<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Jesus (Mar<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">k<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a015: 29-30), chief priests and scribes scorning him (Mar 15: 31-32a), and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0even two thieves crucified at His side. Everyone expects Jesus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to demonstrate\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">how H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e could make it out of this (Mar<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">k<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a015: 32b; Luke 23: 35-39).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Finally, Je<span data-contrast=\"auto\">sus breathes H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is last breath. A soldier confirms it by pierc<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing His side with his spear (John<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a019:34).<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The show is over. Jesus&#8217; enemies seem to have outplayed him.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jesus&#8217; body, a bloody mass, is lowered from the cross and hastily buried. The grave is sealed, and soldiers set to guard it (Mat 27: 62-66).<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don&#8217;t you think the grave screams Jesus has failed?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Even two of his former disciples speak like that on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24: 19-21a)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Isaiah&#8217;s vision<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> was correct. Through the eye<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0natural reason<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Jesus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">crucifixion was going to be seen as a failure<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. And even more, as &#8220;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wounded, beaten by God, and humiliated<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.&#8221; (Isa 53: 4b)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Why is Jesus, the O<span data-contrast=\"auto\">ne who seems\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">defeated, the absolute winner in the eyes of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">faith?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>W<span data-contrast=\"auto\">hile the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0eye<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0natural\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reasoning\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">only see<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0a crucified man, faith sees the reality behind the event of the cross.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The cross was the instrument of Jesus&#8217; atoning sacrifice for our sins.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In H<span data-contrast=\"auto\">is death, Jesus was giving us life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins&#8230; (Col. 2: 13b).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since\u00a0Christ has overcome on the cross, it is no longer an emblem of shame, but a symbol of glory.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The cross was the battlefield where Jesus disarmed his enemies.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We sinned against God, and we are doomed. The law condemns us, so we have to die. &#8220;For the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.&#8221; (1 Cor.\u00a015: 55-56)\u00a0\u00a0There was no way around the fact we had to pay. Satan, the accuser, eagerly wants us to pay this infinite\u00a0debt. However, Jesus canceled the obligation and took out of the way the accusation against us.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us which was hostile to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (Col. 2:14)<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0In ancient times a bond was canceled, either by exchanging the writing or piercing it with a nail. Jesus annulled it by nailing it to the cross. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demand is set aside,\u00a0now, \u201cWho will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.\u00a0 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died\u2014more than that, who was raised to life\u2014is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.\u00a0(Rom. 8:33-35)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>3. The cross was the battlefield where Jesus triumphed over\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is enemies.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><em>And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Col 2:15)<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">John\u00a0Calvin\u00a0comments on this passage. &#8220;The cross is compared to a unique hunting trophy, an instrument of His triumph with which He crushed His enemies. He also compares it to a triumphal chariot in which He showed himself with great magnificence. Although on the cross, there is nothing but a curse, yet it was absorbed by the power of God. Therefore, so to speak, it has adopted a new nature. For there is no tribune so magnificent, no throne so august, no sign of triumph so distinguished, no carriage so eminent and honorable, as it is the gallows on which Christ has subdued death, and the devil, the prince of death.\u00a0 Even more, He has put them under the soles of His feet.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Spurgeon also comments. &#8220;Christ made of his cross a trophy, a public spectacle of his triumph.\u00a0 It was like when a victorious Roman general was returning after winning the battle. At that time, the defeated were tied to the conqueror&#8217;s chariot to enter Rome, followed by the stripped goods and the rear by the army.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Indeed,\u00a0how\u00a0different were the events\u00a0to the eyes\u00a0of\u00a0natural reasoning!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It is true that Jesus was crucified, but it is also true that He has risen! It is also true the tomb is empty, death has been stripped off, and our enemies ashamed! Therefore, far from being a loser, Jesus is more than a conqueror!<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The loneliness of Jesus is turned into a gre<span data-contrast=\"auto\">at lineage of many redeemed by Him. The anguish of H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is soul is swallowed up in joy, seein<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">g the will of God prospered in H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is hand (Isa 53: 10-11). The cr<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">own of thorns is turned into a l<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">aurel crown. The crucified Jesus has risen, has been exalted, and has been declared<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0King of Glory!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Lift up your heads, O gates!<\/em><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And be lifted up, O ancient doors,<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that the King of glory may come in.<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Who is this King of glory?<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Lord, strong and mighty,<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the Lord, mighty in battle!<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Lift up your heads, O gates!<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And lift them up, O ancient doors,<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that the King of glory may come in.<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Who is this King of glory?<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Lord of hosts,<\/em><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He is the King of glory!\u201d\u00a0 (Psalm 24: 7-10)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Through the eyes of\u00a0natural reasoning, the cross is the symbol\u00a0of an absolute shameful beating,\u00a0and the crucified\u00a0is\u00a0the greatest loser. Nonetheless, in the eyes of faith, the cross is the most\u00a0unique instrument\u00a0of victory, and\u00a0the\u00a0resurrected\u00a0Jesus\u00a0the only and absolute conqueror.\u00a0 Why\u00a0would Jesus look like a loser through\u00a0the eyes of natural reasoning?\u00a0 Jesus&#8217; life failed to depict a\u00a0king on his&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/not-a-loser-more-than-a-conqueror\/\">read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":8049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.14 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Not a Loser - More Than a Conqueror - Faith Church Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/not-a-loser-more-than-a-conqueror\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Not a Loser - More Than a Conqueror - Faith Church Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Through the eyes of\u00a0natural reasoning, the cross is the symbol\u00a0of an absolute shameful beating,\u00a0and the crucified\u00a0is\u00a0the greatest loser. 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