This text evidently speaks of a triumph, a triumphal procession. Christ's ascension is represented as a triumphal procession. Christ ascended up on high and triumphantly led captivity captive. What was our captivity? Surely, sin, death, damnation, the power of the devil. Wasn't this the prison that held us with fetters we could not tear, with lock and bolt we could not break? But our Saviour bore, and atoned for our sins, suffered our death and conquered it for us, tasted and destroyed our damnation, and bruised the head of the devil, in whose power we were. In fact, in the early morning of Easter Sunday He descended into hell as the living and risen Conqueror, and preached of His victory and of their vanquishment to the spirits in prison. (1 Pet. 3:19.) That was a triumph in itself. And now He ascended into heaven, and in triumphal procession He carried with Him our sins atoned, our death vanquished, our damnation destroyed, our evil foe trampled under foot. Truly, He despoiled our prison and all the hostile powers that were arrayed against us, stripped them of their power, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in Himself, in His glorious exaltation. Will you not sing and say: "This is a sight that gladdens?" In the name of Jesus, do you hear? Trusting in Him, you may deride sin, laugh at death, defy damnation, and tauntingly fly in the face of Satan. No prison can hold you, no foe can harm you. He, your Saviour, has ascended up on high, He led captivity captive.