1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NIV)
54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Facing the reality of death is sobering. Anyone who has been at the side of someone who is dying knows it is not something light. Even though Paul here is taunting death, he is not taking it lightly. The opposite is true. He can say this because he is convinced that death has been disarmed and that its sting, sin, has been removed. Although we still face death, it is not something that has a hold on our lives as we have the hope that we will be raised to life again, clothed in bodies that will never face death again. This hope is guaranteed through Christ’s victory on the cross and demonstrated through His own resurrection. Death along with sin have been stripped of their power through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Responding to the Transmission
This is the impact that Christ’s work has both now in this life, but also beyond this life. Death no longer has the final say for all who believe in Christ. This passage serves as a reminder to the extent that Christ’s victory affects our lives, but also as a triumphant battle cry. Let’s join in with the cry today as we embrace what Christ has done. As we continue to reflect on the cross and resurrection let’s declare the victory of our Lord over sin and death, a victory that we receive into our lives.
