Jesus Hates Death and He Killed It

The Hope and Urgency of the Resurrection

Easter is only a couple of days away. It is arguably the most important celebration for Christians because our Faith hinges on Jesus defeating death (1 Corinthians 15:17-20). It dawned on me though how distorted my view of death is. I have normalized it so much that reflecting on Jesus defeating it, does not produce nearly as much joy and hope in me as it should. I suspect I am not alone in this.

“It is natural to die as to be born” (Francis Bacon)

Most of us think of death as natural, a normal part of life because we are so acquainted with it. Still, when we lose a loved one, we feel with every part of our beings how wrong it is. Why do we have to see people we love decay and die? Why do human relationships have to be severed by death? Why do I have to live without seeing his face, his smile, or hearing his voice again? Why does death have to be part of our experience? We look at the loved ones we still have and fear the day when they too will be gone. These heartfelt questions signal a deeper reality: death is wrong; death is not normal; death should not exist; death was not supposed to be a part of the human experience. 

Death Came Into the World

See, God did not create death. He did not create humans to experience death (Genesis 2:17). He is the source of eternal life. He breathed his life into us so we would live in fellowship with Him, beholding and delighting in Him.  Death entered the world through sin:

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned”. (Romans 5:12)

In the beginning, when God created everything and called it good, death was not part of it. So, it is right to feel that something is wrong when people die. 

Wait, It Gets Worse

Physical death is merely a consequence of the spiritual death that mankind was plunged into when sin entered the world (Ephesians 2:1-3). The worst thing that can ever happen to any human being is to be alienated from God, Our Maker and the only Source of Life. Apart from him, we cannot have life and we are enslaved to sin, decay, death, and all kinds of evils. This is what happened to mankind the moment we fell into sin. We were separated from God and unless he intervenes, eternal separation follows, and from that, there is no return.

There Is Good News

The good news is that God did intervene. God hates death (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) more than we do and he defeated it. The Eternal Son, Jesus Christ, put on human flesh and put himself through the experience of death “that he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15). By his resurrection, he “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). Those who believe in Jesus though they might experience physical death will never experience spiritual death (John 11:25; John 3:16-17). 

Wait, It Gets Even Better

When Christ returns, all the believers who physically died will be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:17-22). There is even a day when physical death will be no more (Revelation 20:14). Then, all believers (the resurrected and those still alive) will receive an immortal body, free from sin.

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ ". (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

Hope and Urgency

So friends, do not believe the lie that death is normal. It is not. In Christ, you can live with hope as you await that day when death and its sting are annihilated. Mourn with hope for those who died in Christ for we will see them again and spend eternity with them (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Live and mourn also with urgency as you see those around you who are still under the power of death and sin because they do not have Jesus. As long as they are still physically alive, there is hope for them (Hebrews 9:27; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9).

If you do not know Jesus Christ or are unsure, please contact me. I would love to help answer your questions.