1 Corinthians 15:5

New International Version (NIV)

“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?” 

For meditation

Life is so uncertain, and death is so threatening. Nothing consumes us more than what we think and do with life and death. Many times, we feel incompetent about our life, but there are times when we feel caught on cloud nine, thinking we’re the real deal. It takes only a simple toothache to bring us back to earth. It takes a simple issue to crush the financial market and destroy your portfolio that gave you a sense of peace for the future. Let your boss sleep on the wrong side of his bed and wake up upset over something and watch how your job could slip from your confident hands and destroy the career you have meticulously built.

Death, on the other hand, cannot be manipulated. It hangs on the neck of everyone and robs many of a good night’s sleep. It’s a tormentor that gives no space for certainty and peace. No one feels on top of death or could claim any control over it. We postpone it with some good health awareness mechanisms like hygiene, diet, and proper exercises. However, none of them robs death of pride. It delights in our relentless effort to push it away and laughs when we buy into claims of life altering drugs and cosmetic procedures to hold back age. It remains the same tormentor that doesn’t loosen its grip for a moment’s breath.

So, where is our confidence in anything? What is our boast in what we have? What is our life, and what do we do with death?

I sound pessimistic to this point, but I will not leave you hopeless. No! I write to point you to the One who makes the difference, the source of life and the conqueror of death. His name is Jesus Christ!

Talking about Him, the Bible says: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:14-15).

Jesus Himself declares emphatically:

• “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6).
• “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (Jn. 11:25).
• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
• “Cometo me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

That’s it, my friend.

Life is in Christ Jesus and Him alone. Through His death, He has destroyed the fear of death, taking away its sting. Now, He gives us the victory (1 Cor. 15:55).

Please, consider Him and allow His word to speak to your tormented soul. Then, take the step of faith towards Him and be saved (Acts 2:38-39; Rm. 10:9-10).

Shalom