Death snatches our loved ones from us. Death strikes suddenly or after an excruciatingly long struggle. Death rules over us because of sin. We are helpless in the face of physical and eternal death.
Jesus rules over death because He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, only take His life back again on the Third Day. The Good Shepherd died to save His sheep on Good Friday, but on Easter He confirmed His victory over sin, death, and Satan.
Jesus revealed this power over death when He summoned Lazarus from the tomb after four days of decay and decomposition. The empty Easter tomb proclaims Jesus' power over death for Himself. Jesus lives! The grave is empty! Jesus has power over death for us also. He defanged death by suffering death and hell in our place. Our sins have been washed away in His precious blood. He will give us life by raising our bodies from the grave on the Last Day. Paul in 1 Corinthians proclaims Jesus' power over death, "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death" (15:25-26). Jesus' power over death will be revealed to all on Resurrection Day. "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory '" (1 Corinthians 15:54).
This Easter remember the Good Shepherd connection between the cross and the empty tomb. Our Good Shepherd overcame our sins on the cross, and now gives us life eternal by His resurrection. |
