Death Has Lost Its Sting

Over the last 48 hours some of the dearest people in my life have experienced death and pain. Their hearts are hurting. Death has a way about it that brings things into focus. It forces us to stop and look at what we believe.

What has struck me about both of my friends is that their response to the pain has been one of moving towards Jesus. There is a recognition of grief, a crying out in heartbreak, but then a turn towards joy in the knowledge that death has lost its sting. They look forward to the day when they will again be with their loved ones.

As we approach Easter I continue to think about the resurrection. Hardly a day goes by that I don't ponder it in some way. A week ago I was studying Jesus' raising from the dead the widow's son. As I have watched my friends grieve, my mind has gone to the story of Lazarus and Jesus raising him from the dead. I think of the pain and sorrow in Martha and Mary, "Jesus had you been here, he would not have died."

The resurrection is the central focus of all the Scriptures. It is the climax, everything else is leading up to or falling action from the resurrection. This is because it is in the resurrection we experience the fullness of the power of God. It is in the resurrection that the inbreaking of the God of the universe is made complete.

The resurrection points us to this one truth: Death has lost its sting. In all the ways that death stings: sin, pain, grief, expiration...the sting is gone. Jesus has risen. We grieve and then our tears turn to joy as we know that resurrection is coming. What a glorious day that will be!

Isaac Watts, my favorite poet, sums it up:

My God, how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!
Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.
The lying tempter would persuade
There's no relief in heav'n;
And all my swelling sins appear
Too big to be forgiv'n.
But thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread,
Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,
And raise my drooping head.
[I cried, and from his holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I called my Father, and my God,
And he subdued my fear.
He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;
I woke, and wondered at the grace
That guarded my repose.]
What though the hosts of death and hell
All armed against me stood,
Terrors no more shall shake my soul;
My refuge is my God.
Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,
While I thy glory sing;
My God has broke the serpent's teeth,
And death has lost his sting.
Salvation to the Lord belongs;
His arm alone can save:
Blessings attend thy people here,
And reach beyond the grave.