Friday, October 25, 2013

Death


O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?
I Corinthians 15:55


This week I received news of the death of a former co-worker. Initially, I was stunned. He was only a few years older than me. Then I began remembering the times that we had together. He was a good guy, a fair guy, and an understanding guy. I remember him giving me a ride to the METRO, which was completely out of way, so that I could get home. He left behind a wife and child.

As with any death, it causes people to think about their own mortality. Every one of us is destined to die. We are born into this world with a first breath, and we leave this world with a final breath. There is no escaping it. Death’s cold hand waits for us all.

But death is not the end; it is only the beginning. Jesus Christ came into this world to die and shed His blood so that we may have everlasting life. He was crucified on a tree and buried, but three days later He was resurrected. He defeated Death. He dashed the crown from Death’s head and crushed it under His pierced feet. He is the first, and we, as believers, shall follow Him one day.

The Bible tells us that we should not be ignorant of those who have died, and we should not mourn them as non-believers would be mourned (I Thessalonians 4:13). “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (I Thessalonians 4:14).

Because of Jesus, death’s sting has been removed and the grave is no longer victorious.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).

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