From Death to Life

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 

There is a true story about the war between England and France. Napoleon had invaded England, and the people knew that if they didn’t make a stand and stop Napoleon at a place called Waterloo, the whole nation would fall into captivity. Back then they would send signals from mountaintop to mountaintop until word reached London. Then there was a huge billboard in London that would deliver the current news. One day, they saw the messenger begin to write with red paint. It was a foggy day and the people could only see the words, “Wellington defeated.” The people began to weep and despair, realizing their nation would never be the same. Some ran home in terror and locked their doors. But some of the people stayed and as the fog cleared, the rest of the message appeared. It read, “Wellington defeated Napoleon.” Then suddenly, the weeping turned into rejoicing. People were dancing in the streets and celebrating. 

Two thousand years ago, when Jesus was hung on the cross, the disciples began to weep. The forces of evil had thought they had won. But when the fog cleared, the new message became, “Jesus Christ defeated Satan.” Jesus defeated sin, hell, and death. The Bible says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with God.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) So if you have lost a loved one who knew Jesus, they are presently with the Lord.
 

The message of Easter reminds us that we have eternal life and have no need to fear death.

We don’t have to approach the death of a loved one the same as someone who doesn’t have the hope of Jesus. We have an assurance that we will see them again. We know where they went is far better than anywhere on earth they have ever been.

Buddha and Muhammad went into the grave, and they are still there. You can go visit their burial sites. But Jesus is not in a tomb somewhere. He conquered the grave and has risen, and because of that victory, you now have eternal life. In John 11:25-26 Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

When your body passes away and when you take your last breath here, it will be your first breath there. When you leave this world you will start a new life in Heaven.

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