Reflection and Awe Lent Series - Freedom From Death

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” –Revelation 1:17-18 (NLT)

Death can feel so final. A period at the end of the paragraph of our lives. But this is not the end.

Whether we like it or not, death comes to us all. Sometimes through illness, injury, or our own longevity, at some point, we will depart this world, or as Shakespeare says, “shuffled off this mortal coil,” and we will stand before eternity. Our ultimate destination thereafter depends on our decision to follow Jesus or not. 

What we see here on earth is not the fullness of the story written for those who believe in Christ. So many people live like this life is all there is. But for those who follow Christ, another life is to come, and it is eternal through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23).

When we know how the story ends, we release the worry about what happens next. When we know where we are going, we can operate from a place of freedom and not fear. Death only holds power over us through the fear of the unknown. But because of Jesus, our future is known and secure—our place is prepared at the table set for us in heaven.

Jesus took authority over death when He conquered it at His resurrection. As we read at the beginning of today, He “holds the keys of death and the grave.” That means we can rest in the assurance that He is in charge. Death no longer has dominion; the blood of Jesus has nullified its power. The period is now forever changed to a comma; a pause or transition from one place to another, from our temporary address (earth) to our permanent residence (heaven).

Think of times when you were afraid of the dark. Your fear was only present when there was a lack of light. Even one glimmer of light, a small candle, or something similar, was enough to alleviate your trembling. If death is darkness, the fear of it is completely dispelled by the Light of the World. 

Death has no hold over you because Jesus has beaten it. As we approach Easter Sunday, we are reminded that we know the end of the story! Let’s live in the freedom and security of this beautiful truth: Jesus has conquered the grave and given us freedom from death!

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. –1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NKJV)