Sunday: Oh, Death, Where is Your Sting?

Death is something that is feared. It is unknown. No one we know has died and lived to tell about it. There is an element of mystery about it. It always claims, and never gives. We are left mourning the loss of a loved one.

The pain strikes deep.

The score ends with Death in the lead and humanity falling behind.

In life, we struggle to find significance before the inevitable Death comes and claims us too. It is a constant battle.

We live. We die. That seems to be the sum of it.

Why?

"The sting of death is sin..." ~ I Corinthians 15:56

Sin.

"For the wages of sin is death..."~Romans 3:23a

We get what is coming to us. There is only one way to get around it.

"According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission." ~ Hebrews 9:22

Blood. Pretty hopeless...

Except...

Good Friday: "Christ died for our sins..." ~ I Corinthians 15:3
Saturday: "...and He was buried..." ~ I Corinthians 15:4a
Easter! "...and He rose again the third day..." ~ I Corinthians 15:4b

And now...

"...once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself... Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many." ~ Hebrews 9:26-27

There is hope!

"...the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 3:23b

Life!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16

And not just life; ETERNAL life! There is more than life on this earth!

"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." ~ I Corinthians 15:19-22

Death, where is your sting?

"But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ I Corinthians 15: 57

All because of one Sunday two-thousand and fifteen years ago...

"...He is not here; for He is risen, as He said..." ~ Matthew 28:5

"...He is risen! He is not here..." ~ Mark 16:6

"...Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!..." ~ Luke 24:5-6

The final score? Death and sin have lost. and Jesus has won the victory!