I am at the point in my life where death is a more frequent escort. A significant number of my older family members have gone into eternity. Many of my teachers and some of my peers have passed away. Like every other human, I’ve always been around death, but as I age, I discover death is more often around me.
Death is an intruder to God’s creation. As Bible readers, we know death’s birth began in the Garden of Eden when Adam rebelled against God bringing on the whole creation and all his descendants the termination of physical life and the inevitability of eternal death. God created humanity to live forever in a reality where all experiences were only joyful. Death brought to life by sin ended garden life for Adam and Eve and for the rest of us.
But death’s victory is temporary. In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. Like Adam and those between our Lord and Adam, Jesus died. We know our Lord’s death was not the outcome of his sinful, rebellious life; instead, our Lord’s death was his voluntary receipt of the condemnation due to us. Satisfied with our Lord’s work, God raised Jesus to life again, and true to his word, God will raise to life again all who sleep in Jesus. Death’s temporary hold on our Lord’s followers has given way to God’s permanent gift of eternal life.
The Scene in Jerusalem
Before the close of day, his disciples will take him from his cross. Bloodied and bruised, his heart stopped, our Lord has breathed his last. The duty of his followers is to prepare his body for burial, a routine task performed for the recently deceased. They lay his body in the tomb before the Sabbath begins, intending to return when the Sabbath concludes. But there will be no need for them to complete his burial rites. Friday gives way to Sunday. He who was dead lives again and is the first of all who follow him.
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Clap and sing and dance and laugh, Christians. Jesus Christ has conquered death! He will bring those you love who have breathed their last to life again. And if his return is after your death, he will do the same for you. He died, and in your salvation, you died with him. Now, he lives, and you will live too.
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.