Thursday, May 11

54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Death, Where is Your Victory?

In 1 Corinthians 15:44-57, Paul taunts death and Satan, as both have been defeated through the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Death has apparent victories throughout scripture, most notably, in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:13) and on Golgotha (Mark 15:22-24), where Christ was crucified. Yet the resurrection reverses this victory, as Christ defeats death once and for all (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15). Christ is the victor, not evil, sin and death.Hebrews 2:14-15 states it wonderfully, "...through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death -- that is the devil-- and free those who were help in slavery all their lives by the fear of death."For those who belong to Jesus the Messiah (Christ), death's power will be removed. Verse 56 states the sting of death = sin and the power ofdeath = the law. The sting of death is sin because death came as a result of the rebellion and disobedience of humanity against God. The power of death is the law because the law was the command of God which acts as a mirror to display our rebellion and decay against God.Verse 57 is one to remember: "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." While we feel the sting of death and the power of death burdens us, Jesus Christ has given us victory. This is good news.Praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for His work in defeating death once and for all.