December 6th

Crossing the Finish Line

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?' 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Everyone likes to be on the winning team. Well, thanks to Jesus, every Christian is.

What is it that Jesus won for us that puts us on the winning team? It's simple-Jesus gave us victory over sin and death.

I heard a story about a dad and his boy who were on a journey to a village where they were about to conduct some business with the villagers. As they went, they got to this raging river together, the father and the son. Well, the bridge across the river looked super rickety, and the son is freaked out. He's scared. He's like, Dad, I'm afraid. I don't think we're going to be able to cross this.

But the dad says, Son, I'm with you. I'll hold your hand. We'll be very careful and we'll make it. So the two of them forged ahead and got across that river and into the village where they blessed and ministered to everyone, taking care of the business. And at the end of the day, they started to make their way out of the village to head for home.

The son, however, knew what was waiting for them. And as much as he was afraid of the river by day, now it's night. He's like, Dad, I am really petrified of that water and it's moving so fast. And it's scary and it's dark and how will we even see? Then, without saying a word, the dad leaned down, picked up his son, and put him in his arms. The moment he did, his son fell fast asleep. The next thing the son knew, he woke up in his bed safely at home.

This is what death is like for the believer. As much as we might want to let ourselves get riled up and all freaked out, you have a Savior who picks you up in His arms and carries you across. And the next thing you know, you're home and you're safe. And what you feared the most is something you don't even experience because of the promise of our verses today. Christ has won the victory for us; the sting has been taken out of death. It's just a toothless, old lion, a gateway through which we find our Savior's face.

If you know Jesus, your last bed is the best bed you'll ever sleep on because the sting of death is gone. We are not afraid, for we know what comes next. There is no pain or rejection in death for the believer in Christ. It's the resurrection that proves that we've been set free.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You for setting me free from the sting of death! Thank You that I am free from the fear of death, so that I can be truly free to live for You! Please show me how to live in this freedom every day until the day You carry me across that river.

Amen