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.
Share
Leave a Reply