Apr 07, 2023 Christ The Victor Over Death – Words of Grace – April 7, 2023
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” I Corinthians 15:20-26
On this Good Friday morning as I ponder the events of the past two weeks, the common theme that emerges is death. Multiple events in our city and state have resulted in loss of life and collective grief. We may be asking, “what’s good about Good Friday?”
Good Friday is good because on the first one, the Man Christ Jesus laid down his life for us and they laid his dead body in a tomb. Then on Sunday morning, up from the grave this Man arose. And when he did, he proved and declared that he is the resurrection and the life, and that he defeated death.
If we all die, how did Christ defeat death? There is a death after death. One that is the state of eternal separation from God and all his goodness. Those who are in Christ by faith are saved from that death. We face the first death with no fear of the second one. And when Christ returns with all the newness and goodness of his kingdom in full bloom, all death will be no more.
We believe and so we speak, that Christ is the Victor over death. Let your heart take courage in this truth. Let’s pray this weekend that many others will come to believe and profess this truth with us.
Here is a reading from the Valley of Vision called, “Resurrection”. It encouraged me this morning. I hope it will encourage you, too.
-Scott