Why is death the heart of the human predicament? Because we all have, in our own way, rebelled against our Creator. The Bible tells us that, death is the wage we earn for our sin and rebellion. Romans 6:23 states, For the wages of sin is death…
Hebrews 2:15 goes on to say that Those who fear death are subject to lifelong bondage.
Far from being prepared for death, modern society has made the very word almost unmentionable…we have brought all our talents into use to avoid the prospect of dying – and when the time comes we react with anything from excessive triviality to total despair.
(The Observer Magazine, October 27, 1968)
But we do not have to remain in despair because amazingly, Romans 6:23 goes on to say, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Though he did not have to face death, Christ voluntarily took our punishment, by taking our place, paying. the wage we earned: death.
For those who are willing to humbly repent and accept this gift that Christ offers, death is, according to the Bible: “katargeo”… meaning, destroyed, defeated, ineffective, powerless, nullified.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
Those who have accepted Christ’s gift by acknowledging their rebellion can no longer be hurt by death because they have already passed from death to life. Christ himself said in John 5:24, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has already crossed over from death to life.” And 1 John 3:14, assures us, “We know that we have passed from death to life…”
Have hope! Our guarantee of life is anchored in Christ’s resurrection from the dead:
I tell you the truth…You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy… you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
John 16:20-22
Because I live you will also live… John 14:19
Luke has completed his telling of the Gospel: A Savior for mankind. But this was not the end of Luke’s story. In volume two, The Acts of the Apostles, Luke will describe how the coming of the Holy Spirit and the spread of the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection brings the offer of forgiveness and the light of true and free life to the men and to the women in the nations of the world.
Since the Savior came to dwell among us, not only does idolatry no longer increase, but it is getting less and gradually ceasing to be. Similarly, not only does the wisdom of the Greeks no longer make any progress, but that which used to be is disappearing. And demons, so far from continuing to impose on people by their deceits and oracle-givings and sorceries, are routed by the sign of the cross if they so much as try. On the other hand, while idolatry and everything else that opposes the faith of Christ is daily dwindling and weakening and falling, the Savior’s teaching is increasing everywhere! Worship, then, the Savior “Who is above all” and mighty, even God the Word, and condemn those who are being defeated and made to disappear by Him. When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by His teaching.
(St. Athanasius, (296 AD) On the Incarnation, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press)
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the most successful meme in the history of the world. And the spread of that meme over the last 2,000 years has correlated with decreasing levels of slavery, war, crime, poverty, and general suffering.
(Tim DeRouche, The Secular Case for Christianity)