He Conquered Death!
The people had waited for a long time for their hope of a savior to deliver them and set them free. While Jesus was dying on the cross, it seemed as though whatever hope they had was fading quickly. It appeared to be the ultimate end. Some had followed Jesus and believed in the miracles He had performed. Some very openly denied His identity as the Son of God and mocked Him for the position He was in at this moment. No matter where people found themselves or what they believed up to this point in time, fear was still very much present and controlled the thoughts and emotions of God’s people.
Jesus - The Authority
The second member of the Holy Trinity (Father-Son-Holy Spirit). The Son of God. The One through whom all things were created (John 1:1-3). The only One born of a virgin birth. The only One seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3,13; Mark 16:19). The One who is the only way to the Father (Mark 14:6). The only One who has been given all authority on earth and in heaven (Matthew 28:18). Yeah, that One!
Jesus was the only One who could take on death and defeat it. He was sent by His Father into the world to save the world, not to condemn it (John 3:16,17). He was more than qualified to do such a thing. The angels of God worship Him (Hebrews 1:6). He was faithful to His Father who had given Him this assignment (Hebrews 3:2). I know we look at Jesus as being like God, or really being God, as this is right, but we must not overlook the TRUTH that He was also fully man, fully human. He had the responsibility of making choices even in difficult, uncomfortable moments (remember in the garden of Gethsemane, Mark 14:32,35-36). And He always chose the will of His Father (John 8:29). He chose to be made a little lower than the angels, like man (Hebrews 2:5-9), so that He could suffer and experience death for all the world and then be crowned with glory and honor. He was the only One who had the authority and power to lay down His life and then pick it back up (John 10:17). He was the Authority to challenge and defeat death!
What Does This Mean?
The purity and holiness of Jesus qualified Him as the One to conquer and defeat death. Though He was fully human, He had no sin (1 Peter 2:22; also, he was not conceived with seed from a man – the virgin birth). Because of this TRUTH, death had no dominion or hold on Him. In all of the history of the world and mankind, He was the only One who was without sin. Up until the time of Jesus, death had a firm grip on mankind because man had been under a curse since the garden (Genesis 2:17). When Moses gave the Law, the 10 Commandments, the curse was not broken; the Law could not save them. It did give them parameters in which to live within. The fear of death, however, remained in the earth, and this fear was a weapon the devil used against man (even to this day). So, from the garden of Eden to the resurrection of Jesus, man was under the curse and lived with the agony, or torturing, sting of death without any hope to be freed. Imagine going through life trying to live by a set of rules that you consistently break or fail and understanding that you must face death one day. You live your whole life in fear of what would happen when it is your turn to leave this earth. Thank God that now, no one has to live under this fear, if they choose Jesus. So, when the Bible explains to us that Jesus conquered death, it is telling us that death no longer has authority to make us fear failure with God.
The Benefits of Christ Conquering Death
The penalty of sin is death. This is still true for every life without Christ today. Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So, our reward from God for believing and trusting in Jesus is eternal life with Him. At Jesus’ resurrection – when He got up from the grave – death no longer had its sting nor power. It had been defeated. Jesus had died a very physical death, was buried in a grave, and then rose from that grave. He not only took away the sting of death that the enemy had used as a weapon, He took authority over it, and now, He holds the keys of death and hell (Revelation 1:18) in His possession. The One without sin became sin for all of mankind and did what man could not do. He afforded us the way to not live a life enslaved to sin and fear. He was our forerunner and became our victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:20; Romans 8:37). Just as He rose from the grave, those who trust in Him and whose lives are in Him, though they may die a physical death, they will, also, rise from their grave. He has given this promise to all of His fellow heirs to the Kingdom of God (John 14:19).
The love of God is on full display through His act of redemption of man. When we come to trust in God and accept what He has done for all of mankind through Jesus, we can experience a love like no other. And it is this love that frees us from the clutches of the fear of death.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
O Death, where is your sting?
Jesus Conquered Death!
Scripture References: Luke 23:44-46; Mark 15:37-39; Matthew 27:50-54; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:3,6,13; Mark 16:19; Mark 14:6; Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:18; Romans 8:37; 1 John 4:18; John 3:16,17; Hebrews 3:2; Mark 14:32,35-36; John 8:29; Hebrews 2:5-9; John 10:17; 1 Peter 2:22; Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20; John 14:19 *Do a deep dive on these Scriptures and really allow the Holy Spirit to speak with you about them. Go beyond the surface and let TRUTH be embedded into your heart.
Reflective Journal Prompts
Take this time to reflect and journal using the following prompt questions. Use this time for introspection and communion with God. Feel free to leave a comment on the post but also use your journal to go deeper and to capture your thoughts on what was shared in the post.
Q: As you reflect on the authority of Jesus shared in this post, in what ways has the authority of Jesus showed up in your life? Write about specific examples.
Q: When reflecting on Jesus being fully God and fully human when He walked the earth, how have you explained this TRUTH to non-believers and/or new believers?
Q: Was there ever a time you feared death – whether before you came to Christ or after you came to Christ but without full knowledge of what Jesus had done for you? What was that like and what are your thoughts now that you have accepted what Jesus has done for all of us?
Q: Write out a prayer of gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice and God’s powerful love?
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