But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Paul was referring to the Roman triumphal procession. They had mastered the art of the victory parade. Their procession was elaborate. The state officials and the senate proceeded first. Then the trumpeters came, followed by the spoils of victory. Captives in chains were led and then came priests carrying incense and throwing flowers. Next in the parade was the winning Roman general and his family—in Paul’s case Jesus the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Paul was explaining that we, as believers, are part of Christ’s victory procession. There is a triumphal procession going on and we are part of it. We have won and Jesus is Lord. Satan was defeated at Calvary.

The fragrance from the incense and the flowers is a sign that the battle is over and Jesus has won. Everywhere we go we are part of the public announcement that Jesus has won and we are celebrating His victory. The battle won’t be over someday, it is over now.

At the Cross Jesus triumphed over sin and the devil and we are making that public pronouncement now as we march in the parade and celebrate what He has done. Our lives are spreading the knowledge of Him everywhere.