Only Jesus Conquers Death

The very foundation upon which all of the Christian faith rests is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only did this vindicate Jesus as God’s Messiah, but death itself, the most certain thing in a human being’s life, was stripped of its power and ultimately destroyed. Although we will still experience it, the state of death is now only temporary. For at the appointed time we will, like Jesus, be resurrected. Our bodies will be transformed into His likeness. And we will experience the fullness of the crushing victory Jesus has won over the darkness.

If you were to visit an old cemetery, where people from previous centuries have been buried, you might notice a word written across many tombstones: Resurgam. Plain, simple, yet imbued with profound meaning. Resurgam is Latin for, “I shall rise again.” Even in the one place where death might feel safe, this word proclaims as a vexatious reminder, that it will not have the last laugh.

In a world where it seems like evil and death reign, this is good news. In a world where pain and suffering can seem so unfair or meaningless, this offers hope. In a world where the loss of a loved one in Christ can seem so final, this offers comfort. In a world where our immediate future is uncertain, this stirs courage. For though one day we may die, we will assuredly rise again too.

• How have you perceived death in the past: Final, all-powerful, or as a defeated foe?
• What hope does the idea of a future resurrection bring to your life?