I always love finding Jesus in unexpected places. Recently, I came across a Christ-connection in an odd place – the life of Samson. In fact, with Easter approaching, I thought it very interesting to see how God was hinting at the resurrection of Christ even during the time of the Judges.
Samson is a “larger-than-life” Old Testament hero. This Hebrew Hercules had it all – brawn, flowing locks, a wicked sense of humor and a special anointing from God. His name means “shining like the sun.” I like to call him “Mr. Sunshine.” And like the sun, Samson’s life begins with a bright dawn and splendid ascent, but sets in gloom. There is more space devoted to Samson than any other judge. His victories prompted the writer in Hebrews 11 to record his name in the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11:32). But the tragic truth about Samson is that his victories were just as monumental as his defeats. In many ways, Samson was a broken savior and a walking contradiction.
Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe wrote: “Bold before men, Samson was weak before women. Empowered by the Spirit of God, he yielded his body to the appetites of the flesh. Called to declare war on the Philistines, he fraternized with the enemy. He fought the Lord’s battles by day and disobeyed the Lord’s commandments by night. Given the name Samson, which means “sunny,” he ended up in the darkness, blinded by the very enemy he was supposed to conquer.”[i]
It may sound strange at first for such a flawed man, but Samson’s ministry is an OT prefiguring of Christ. Samson began a saving work that fell short. He was specially gifted by God to deliver Israel from their enemies. In his victories, Samson modeled how Christ would lead His people to victory over sin, Satan and ultimately death. In his defeats, Samson underscored how much Israel needed a righteous judge who was perfect, not sabotaged by temptations of the flesh.
Consider a few parallels. Samson’s birth was prophesied and announced by an angel (Judg. 13:3-5); just like Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). Samson’s birth was a miraculous conception to a barren woman; Christ’s was supernaturally conceived in a virgin girl (Matt. 1:23). Samson was a Nazarite, a respected man; Christ was a Nazarene, a social reject. Samson was anointed by the Holy Spirit for feats of strength; Christ was anointed by the Spirit to perform signs and wonders (Acts 2:22). Samson’s mission was to “begin to save Israel” (Judg. 13:5); Christ’s mission as told by the angel Gabriel was “to save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).
But here’s where the Easter connection comes in. In Judges 16 we read about how Israel’s enemies – The Philistines – hear of Samson spending the night in Gaza, one of their capital cities. (Of course, Samson had no business being there because he was there for a one-night-stand.) The Philistines conspire and decide now is the time to strike and finally defeat the strong man. What follows is one of his greatest exploits.
2 The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, “Let us wait till the light of the morning; then we will kill him.” 3 But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron. (Judges 16:2-3)
Two words – BEAST MODE! Scholars say that the hilltop facing Hebron, where Samson carried the gates was some 40-miles away! Do you think Samson was showboating a little there? Samson’s incredible feat brought both humiliation and defeat upon his enemies. The Gazites thought they had the upper hand. They would scalp Samson before sunrise. But in one unexpected moment of incredible power – Samson flipped a defeat into a victory.
Does that story line sound familiar? For three days Jesus body lay in the tomb. He was sealed in a grave behind a massive stone. Roman soldiers guarded the site with diligence. Satan and all his demon hoards thought they had the upper hand. The Son of God was defeated. But in the pre-dawn hours, an unexpected thing happened.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” (Matt. 28:2-6)
Just as Samson defied death by pulling up the city gates, Jesus defied death by walking out of the tomb. Christ has bound the strong man (Matt. 12:29) and showed that the gates of hell cannot prevail (Matt. 16:18).
In one of his classic sermons, Charles Spurgeon preached, “As Samson, when he slept in Gaza, and was beset by foes, arose early in the morning, and took up upon his shoulders the gates of Gaza-post, and bar, and all-and carried all away, and left the Philistine stronghold open and exposed, so has it been done unto the grave by our Master, who, having slept out his three days and nights, according to the divine decree, arose in the greatness of his strength, and bore away the iron gates of the sepulchre, tearing every bar from its place. The removal of the imprisoning stone was the outward type of our Lord's having plucked up the gates of the grave-post, bar, and all-thus exposing that old fortress of death and hell, and leaving it as a city stormed and taken, and henceforth bereft of power.”[ii]
Hallelujah!
He is risen! Death is dead and Satan’s citadel has been exposed. We have one mightier
than Samson, who has demonstrated His death-defying strength (Acts 2:24)
and will shine brighter than the sun for all eternity (Heb. 1:3). -DM
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