The Death of Death

I was brought into the world by sin, the natural consequence of one choice to disobey the Creator. I am the greatest weapon of the devil, and he has wielded me with skill ever since. For 4,000 years, I kept mankind bound within my unbreakable grasp. I shadowed his waking hours and haunted his dreams.

For fear of me, men cried to gods of wood and stone; strove in futile efforts to keep a law of impenetrably high standards; and sought the riches and pleasures of life to distract from my terrors. None could escape my bondage, and I laughed with glee as each victim struggled in vain to flee my pursuit, only to fall before my conquering sword.

Until one day, when I prepared to receive yet another victim. This One was different. I could not gain Him by force, nor guile. I was able to call Him mine only when He deliberately yielded Himself to me. When, with His last breath, He said, “It is finished,” I heard it as a cry of victory rather than defeat. He seemed to see His death as an accomplishment.

Then Sunday morning, as the light broke in the eastern sky, I cowered in fear as, with a shout of triumph, He thrust away my grasping fingers and broke my bonds. I reached after Him, but it was impossible for me to hold Him.

Since then, my abilities have never been the same. I have seen men and women, boys and girls, face me in my most awful forms with courage and hope. For there is a Voice, which when I hear, I recognize as the same Voice shouting victory over me on that long ago morning. And against my will, I must respond as I did then.

My name is Death, and I admit defeat.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

He is risen! Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!