Victory in Jesus

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

I woke up early this morning while it was still dark, just before the dawn broke. I hadn't even gotten my eyes open before the words, "death where is your sting? death where is your victory?" suddenly came to my mind and heart. I rolled over and felt the words again pressing on my heart. Easter! It's Easter morning. He is risen, He is risen indeed! And with that, further sleep was impossible.

A few minutes later, I was trying to find the words in my Bible. But where? Bruce told me to try 1 Corinthians 15 and sure enough, the words were there. Not exactly the way I'd halfway memorized them, but there nonetheless:

    Death is swallowed up in victory

    Where, oh death, is your victory?

    Where, O death is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

Sam Allberry writing today for The Gospel Coalition in an article entitled "Death is Dead; Christ Has Conquered" writes the following:

    "The Easter story isn't just "what happens next" to Jesus after his death. It doesn't just wrap up the story; it fulfills it. In fact, there really is not a story without it. It's not just a matter of chronology, but theology- vital, glorious theology. Without it we have nothing and are nothing. The resurrection saves us. Good Friday is no good at all without Easter Sunday...The resurrection is the outworking and proof of our salvation because death is the outworking and proof of our sin. Jesus' new life show us the cycle of sin and death has finally been broken There is new life to be had. Sin has been conquered...By dying and rising for us, the Son has closed the deal. In raising him from the dead, the Father has signed for it."

Christ's resurrection is central to the heart of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians assures them that "What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) Christ died, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Death is dead; Christ has conquered. And because He lives, we do too!

Death is indeed swallowed up in victory for those who are in Christ Jesus.

He IS risen; He is risen indeed!

Catalog:

Tag: