Death came unexpectedly to Adam and Eve. Their disobedience to God brought forth something they had not known other than possibly watching God sacrifice a lamb to use its skin to cover their shame (Genesis 3:21).
Death respects no one It steals away loved ones. It snatches away our friends. Death takes but never gives back. It sometimes creeps upon us, and other times it comes swiftly. Death destroys God’s goodness. It steps on your toes and mine. Death is greedy; it aims at conquering as many victims as possible.
As Jesus hung on the cross, death, like smoke from hot ice, crept upon His feet, over the pounded nails and then His thighs. Death dreamt big; it aimed at getting the most important figure in human history under its grip. Up His waist like a fog, it went. It spread across Jesus’ aching chest and battered arms. It then went for the jugular. Death spread over His face from the bruises from slaps, having His beard plucked (Isaiah 50:6), and from the kicks, and punches He received. Finally, death overtook the Son of Man on the cross.
While people wept, demons danced. While believers hid, cruel men falsely exposed Him of being a fraud. Can you picture it? The tabloids flew their front pages on the evening news. During rush hour, reporters announced, “THE SON OF GOD ABADONED BY HIS FATHER!” “LIFE-GIVER, DEAD!” The tabloids wrote: MIRACLE WORKER, RAN OUT OF MIRACLES! “He who said, ‘I Am the Life,’ is DEAD! And, “Charlatan Had His Coming!
Yes, death is a robber! He comes from Satan. “The thief comes but to kill, to steal, and to destroy” (John 10:10a). Death causes us to cry until every last tissue in the box is gone and our tears have dried. It leaves a void in us. But there’s hope!
“…That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14b).
Meaning, Jesus had to die to defeat death, and the sting of sin! If we trust Him with our lives and future, He will come through! At the time of departing this world, we’ll pass into an eternity with Him! Death has no power over us!
Part b of John 10:10 says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Rest assured that robbers, “Nor thieves nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1Corinthians 6:10). Hallelujah! DEATH’s days are numbered! Soon the Robber will be given the boot for all time!
God Bless!
Sam