Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

The Sting of Death

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A few weeks ago, I was out on a walk when I saw a bee nearby. It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen a bee, but it was the first time I didn’t run away in a panic. When I was a child, allergy testing showed that I was allergic to stinging insects, and I’ve been terrified of them ever since. But I recently had the testing redone, and it turns out that I’ve outgrown the allergy. Now a bee sting would be painful, but not dangerous. I don’t have to be afraid.  

This weekend, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen several gifts we receive because of His resurrection: reconciliation, forgiveness, justification, and victory. Today we’ll consider one more gift: because His resurrection made the way for our own resurrection, Christ has removed the sting of death. 

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep . . . ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’” (I Cor. 15:20 and 55, NIV)

Friend, this is good news: Jesus is alive! He is our reigning King who conquered the power of death and rose victorious over the ultimate enemy. The questions here in 1 Corinthians drive home Paul’s point that death has been defeated. 

These verses also teach us that our risen Savior is the firstfruits of the resurrection. “Firstfruits” implies that there are more resurrection fruits to come! When He stepped out of the grave, He made a way for us to have new life in Him now and eternal life with Him forever. Death now has no power over those who are in Christ. 

Death is painful, and we feel we feel that pain often in this fallen world. Our nation has seen so much heartbreak lately, and we grieve with those who grieve. But even in times of sorrow, we can look at the empty grave of Christ and know that He’s robbed death of its ultimate power. We don’t have to be afraid. Jesus Christ took the sting of death for us, and we wait eagerly for the day when we feel it no more. 

No matter what you face this week, the risen Christ removed the sting of death. 

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Three Reasons to Live Fearless {Guest post for Proverbs 31 Ministries}

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Today I’m sharing a devotional from the book of Revelation for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today devotions. Here’s a preview . . .

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’” Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)

I still remember where I was when the question came. We had just started the drive to school when one of my young carpool passengers piped up from the back seat and asked, “Miss Marissa, how old will you be when Christopher graduates from high school?”

Fighting back tears, I struggled to figure out the answer to her question. I had recently finished treatment for a rare cancer called angiosarcoma. I was begging the Lord for another year or two but didn’t dare let myself think about attending my second-grader’s graduation.

We find many reasons for fear in this life, and death is often at the top of the list.

Whether it’s cancer or a contagious new virus, reminders of our mortality can shake our security and peace. Christ’s promise of eternal life soothes our doubts about eternity, but we might fear the process of dying or dread the loss of our loved ones.

In the book of Revelation, God gives us hope as we face all our fears. He pulls back the curtain of heaven to show us the present reality of Christ’s reign and the future consummation of His triumph over the grave. Turning our eyes to victorious Jesus gives us hope and comfort in the face of death.

To finish reading the devotional, head over to the Proverbs 31 website. I hope you’re encouraged to live fearless no matter what you’re facing today!

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Video ~ An Excerpt from Loving Your Friend through Cancer

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In this video, I read the introduction to chapter 9 of Loving Your Friend through Cancer. The chapter is titled “Mind: Questions Your Friend is Asking.” To learn more about how to support a friend as she wrestles through the difficult questions cancer brings, check out the book here.

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