Jesus is Prince' in the sense of being source of life to mankind, just because He died. His death is the death of Death. His apparent defeat is His real victory. By His death He takes away our sins. By His death He abolishes death.
The physical fact remains, but all else which makes the sting of death' to men is gone. It is no more a solitude, for He has died, and thereby He becomes a companion in that hour to every lover of His. Its darkness changes into light to those who, by' following Him,' have, even there, the light of life.' This Samson carried away the gates of the prison on His own strong shoulders when He came forth from it. It is His to say, O death! I will be thy plague.'
By His death He diffuses life.
The Spirit was not given' till Jesus was glorified,' which glorification is John's profound synonym for His crucifixion. When the alabaster box of His pure body was broken, the whole house of humanity was filled with the odour of the ointment.
So the great paradox becomes a blessed truth, that man's deepest sin works out God's highest act of Love and Pardon.
