Death Has Been Conquered

On the first day of the week, early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” - Luke 24:1-7 (ESV) 

Jesus has risen! On this day, Easter Sunday, the Church celebrates the event described as the “hinge upon which the door of Christianity swings.” For it is the resurrection that sets Jesus apart from any other teacher, prophet, or historical figure. It is the resurrection alone that serves as the final proof of all Jesus’ claims. Not only does Jesus have power over life, shown in the many miracles He performed throughout His ministry, but Jesus has power over sin and death. 

When Jesus promised in John 11 that “the one who believes in me will live, even though they die,” He was making the claim that He has power over the grave, over the eternal destination of every living soul. It must have dawned on the women who went to the tomb of Jesus that since “He is not here; He has risen!” Jesus proved that death had been conquered. 

The word “conquered” is an intentional word choice. Death has not just been beaten. A country beaten in war can always cause trouble again; but a country conquered is forever changed. Death was not merely beaten once with the resurrection of Jesus, death was conquered. It has no power over those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ. So, celebrate! Sing with joy for He is risen! We have a proven hope that by believing in Jesus we have an eternity secured in Heaven, for Jesus has authority over sin and death. 

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Lord, grant me hope in the reunion that is coming while celebrating the life I have in You. Give me joy in Your power over death, that by believing in Jesus I will not die. Help me share that joy with those around me. In celebration with fellow believers and with excited invitation for those who have yet to believe, Amen.

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