For You

Hello, all. This is Jacqueline, with a Easter article about life and death through Jesus' resurrection. Enjoy!

What is the worst possible thing that could happen to you right now? For many people in this world, their answer would be death. For them, death is the most terrifying thing that could ever take place. For them it means the end. But that's what is so amazing about our faith. Someone has already died… for you.

Revelation 1:17-18 reads, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” 

Verses 9-20 of Revelation 1, contains a vision had by John, the author of this Bible book. This scene tells us all about the Son of God, Jesus, in these verses, is a line said by our Savior to us. “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” The keys of Death and Hades. Jesus, our Savior is the keeper of these keys. He is the living one. The one who defeated death, for you, through the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is the base of our faith. Without Jesus’ death, our faith would be faulty. Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 15:16-17, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” 

Without the resurrection, our faith, the faith of life instead of death, would be false. We’d be believing in something that couldn’t possibly be true. It is a matter of faith, believing that Jesus rose. 

Going back to Revelation 1:18, Jesus has defeated death. There is no death for those who believe in Jesus. The resurrection means life, but only for those who believe it. This amazing life came through Jesus. Picture this: A dark night. No stars, no moon, and everything is eerily silent. The wind’s breath has paused. Birds don’t make a peep but are simply still. There are no bugs racing through the grass. Not a leaf falls. Everything is still. The guards by Jesus’ tomb are wondering what seems so off. It falls on them suddenly. There’s no sound. They don’t dare make a noise, but look at each other questioningly. In the tomb behind them, the dead Savior takes His first breath. Creation erupts, breaking the silence. Jesus is alive. 

Jesus grants us life. He has the keys to death and Hades, which means death has no sting. Death has no power. It is nothing but a door for us who believe in the resurrection. 

Christians don’t die, they simply sleep. The next few verses of 1 Corinthians 15 say, “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” Did you catch that first line? “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” We do not die. We are simply asleep, waiting for the new earth with all those who have gone before us, in Heaven. 

Death has no sting. There is hope for the Christian, a living hope, given to us by our Savior, Jesus Christ, who died for us. Never forget this. Don’t only remember this incredible truth about our faith at Easter. Read about Jesus’ resurrection and let it give you hope. Hope in the life that Jesus gave to you, through death on the cross.

Someone has already died… for you.