Fear of Death – June 9, 2021

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20

Fear of Death

Death is the one experience that all humans share, and yet it is the one topic that we seem to avoid. Why is that? I believe it is because it is the one problem that we haven’t been able to solve. We might be able to stop cancer from spreading. We might be able to stop a virus from multiplying. But we can’t stop death, and that can be terrifying. So instead of facing the hopeless situation, we ignore it.

But I have good news. Jesus really did pass through death ahead of us and came out on the other side. He not only conquered death for himself but now gives his victory to us as a gift. The apostle Paul says it this way, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). In other words, just like the first human, Adam died because of sin. We all die because we have all sinned. But in Jesus, we will all be made alive. We will all come out the other side of death by being resurrected on the Last Day.

How can we be so sure of our resurrection? Paul calls Jesus the “firstfruits” of the resurrection. The first fruits on the vine are a promise that there is more crop to come. Jesus’ resurrection is a promise that what happened to Jesus is what will happen to all of us to follow him. That’s why Paul goes on to say, “Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him” (1 Corinthians 15:23).

Our biggest problem, the one we couldn’t solve, has been destroyed by Jesus. God has given us victory over death through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That means we don’t need to be afraid of death. We can still grieve when we lose a loved one. We can still have our concerns. But let us not avoid death because of fear or hopelessness. “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you won the victory over sin and death. Lead me to trust in your resurrection and look forward to the day you return to resurrect my body. Amen.