“God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.”

Acts 2:24 (NLT)

DEATH COULD NOT CONTAIN HIM

When Jesus arrived on the scene in Jerusalem during Holy Week, death had a grip on humanity. It held every life, every story, and every future. But when Jesus rose on Easter Sunday, that grip was broken.

The Bible makes clear that death was never meant to have the final word. In Romans 6:9 (NLT), we read, “Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.” And because we belong to Him, that same victory applies to us. First Thessalonians 4:14 (NLT) says, “Since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

The resurrection wasn’t just Jesus escaping death. It was Jesus conquering death. He didn’t just survive it; He overwhelmingly and convincingly defeated it. Because of this, death is no longer the end for those who belong to Him. It no longer has the final word.

A beekeeper was walking with his young son when a bee began buzzing around the child, who was allergic and terrified. The father quickly reached out, caught the bee, and let it sting him. Then he released it. The boy panicked as the bee flew again, but the father said, “Don’t worry. It can’t hurt you anymore. It already used its stinger on me.” That is what Jesus did with death. He took the sting so it no longer has power over us.

How does knowing that death has been defeated change the way you view fear, loss, or the future?

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.