The Death of Death
Today’s Verse:
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: ~2 Timothy 1:10
I have read the following humorous conversation between a doctor and his patient: Doctor: “I have bad news and worse news.” Patient: “So let’s have it.” Doctor: “The bad news is that you only have 24 hours to live.” Patient: “I can’t imagine what could be worse than that!” Doctor: “I forgot to tell you yesterday.” Kidding aside, there is a grimness and, perhaps, overwhelming anxiety for most people when it comes to death. Death is the end of life. It is the separation of the soul from the body. It is the separation of loved ones from each other in this life. However, Paul makes an incredibly encouraging statement when he said, “Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death.” This morning, let us see the death of death.
We see the villain.
Paul said that the last enemy is death. Death is the enemy of every living person. Satan has the power of death. Satan’s goal is to get every living person to die and spend eternity in Hell. Death is a villain. Death wants to take away our life, our productivity, and our usefulness. Death wants to steal the victim from loved ones. Death wants to bring us into sorrow and despair. Death wants to bring an end to something that is good. Death is a villain.
We see the vexation.
There is much emotional upheaval when death approaches and occurs. There is the anxiety concerning unsettled affairs. There is the anxiety of loneliness and separation. There is the sorrow of memories of the past and that loved one being gone to share those memories with. There is the anxiety of being isolated during the remaining days and minutes, as death strengthens its grip on its victim. There is grief, sorrow, and much crying when the last goodbye is said. Even more so, there is the incredible sadness that comes if a loved one dies without Christ as Saviour and spends eternity in Hell.
We see the vanquishing.
There is good news! Jesus Christ, our Saviour, has abolished death. This means He destroyed death. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead overcame death completely. Jesus put death to death! For every believer, death may be fatal, but it is not final. Death is our passageway into the presence of our Lord. Paul said that “to die is gain.” Death is our graduation into the glorious presence of our Lord. Death is dead!
We see the vehicle.
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has brought life and immortality to light. The gospel is the good news of Jesus’ shed blood, death, and resurrection from the dead for every sinner. A sinner’s acceptance of Christ as Saviour brings that person from darkness to light: from death to life. Jesus said that we are passed from death to life. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” The gospel is liberating. The gospel saves. The gospel is God’s eternal hope for every sinner. The death of death is possible through our Lord Jesus. The sting of death is taken away. Let us thank the Lord for the death of death!
Have a victorious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Acts 9-10