“O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”
I Corinthians 15:55
Because of His Victory, we also have victory and need never fear the “unknown” or its shadows.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the massive stone began to roll back in its channel. No hands were tugging at it. No machine was pulling it. No humans were assisting it. Although an earthquake may have accompanied it, it needed no help to move—for its Master was coming forth.
From the darkness of that cold, dark, dank tomb came Jesus, God’s Rising Son. And, as He stepped out into the still-dark, crisp, cool, early morning hours of the first Easter Sunday, He smiled, raised his nail-scarred Hands to Heaven and said, “Good morning, Father!” Glory!!
Yes, no confines of the tomb. . .no forces of nature. . .no normal deteriorating powers of decomposition could hold Him back. And, as He—the “Light of the World”—emerged, darkness and its accompanying demons of fear fled like some wounded animal, knowing its remaining time was short-lived. Hallelujah!!
Truly, from the moment until now the Victory Shout of every believer in Christ has been that of Paul in today’s Manna: “O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?!?” Even though, technically, the more correct rendering would be “O Death, where is your sting? O Death, where is your victory?” since the Grk. word “thanatos” is used for “death” and “grave,” we should not fret or debate.
Why is that?
Simply because you don’t normally bury live people; you bury those who’ve expired. Those who’ve “given up the ghost.” Those whose life here on earth is over.
And, that certainly was the case with Jesus.
Contrary to some beliefs, Jesus hadn’t swooned on the Cross and the cool temperatures in the tomb revived Him; neither had He died and later on some of his disciples secretly stole His Body away so they could preach the Resurrection.
No, He was dead. Stone-cold death. No pulse. No respiration. No bodily functions.
He was dead. Deceased. Lifeless. Perished.
But, all of that would change that early Sunday morning.
By God’s miraculous Power His heart resumed beating. His lungs once again filled with oxygen. His Blood began re-circulating. His bodily temperature rose again to normal. His eyes opened. His nail-scarred Hands slowly removed the burial shroud that covered His Body.
And, He stood up and smiled—knowing He’d accomplished the Purpose for which He’d come and gained the eternal Victory for all who would believe. So, why not stop, right now and give a shout, Pilgrim, and cry “O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory? Because He lives, I live also. And, because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Thank You, Lord, for your eternal Life and Love!” Amen and amen.
October 27, 2011
