he Dying Of Death

TITLE: The Day Death Died
DATE: April 20, 2019 – Holy Saturday
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 - (ESV) -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?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Around Resurrection Sunday, we often talk about the death of the Savior. Today I would like to talk about the day death died! In doing so I will speak of death as though he were a real person.

Usually, when we write up the obituary of an individual, we begin with their formative and early years. It is no different as we talk about death. I believe I can pinpoint the exact day death was born! It was conceived in Adam and Eve’s temptation and birthed the moment they sinned.

As is the case for every newborn, he brings changes into his family. This baby was no different. Before his arrival the world had been a pleasant place to live. There were no thorns; no thistles; no pain; no travail, no labor. Crops grew willingly. Human bodies were made to last forever. The arrival of Death changed all that!

It didn’t take long for death to show just how hyperactive he could be. He first shows up when God skins some animals and makes clothes for His fallen children out of the hides.  Then he makes his presence felt as Cain strikes down his brother, Abel, in a field and buries him in a hidden spot.

Death soon flexes his muscles, growing into the strongest predator on the face of the earth.

Relentlessly, tirelessly he hunts his victims, tracking down each one, catching and wrestling him down to the rot and mire of the grave! Of course he has some qualities some might consider to be good. He plays no favorites. Nor is he prejudiced. He stalks young and old; man and woman and child. Red, yellow, black or white, make no difference to him.!
The years passed and Death noted the Savior’s birth. Noted and waited until the day Christ was laid on a rugged, Roman cross.

Death, Satan all of hell watched with glee as the Roman soldier placed nails in each hand and the feet of Jesus. They laughed as the cross was lifted and dropped into place, tearing the flesh and sinew of the Lord. Heaven stood in stunned amazement as the Son of God slumped and died. Pandemonium broke loose in hell.

On Friday, Satan had roared one word of warning: “Watch Him well, Death. Keep Him for more than three days and His Kingdom will be yours". Day 1: ---all is well -- the celebration goes on. Day 2: No problems, the party continued. Day 3: Death felt somewhat faint. Then it happened. Christ arose from the grave.

At that moment, death convulsed. He rattled the rattle of death, and died. On the day Christ arose from the grave, Death (for the Christian) died. Scripture tells us: I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore ...

Scripture says it…..a resurrected Lord assures it: death can have no more terror in your life. He cannot hunt you down. He cannot tear you apart. Why? Because of that first resurrection morning, the Savior changed everything.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, resurrection morning has changed my life… infinitely for the better. Damnation is set aside by salvation and hope has been given to keep me always at peace. For all this and much more I praise  the Savior’s Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html