Overcoming the Inevitable

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”

– Luke 24:6-7

Why do so many people worry about dying? 

For those who aren’t Christ-followers, death represents the inevitable and the unknown. It’s a gaping, black hole. And who knows what’s at the bottom of the pit — or who’s on the other side? 

That’s not reassuring. But here’s some good news: If you’ve put your faith in Jesus as your Savior, you have nothing to fear from death. In fact, dying is simply the transition between our relatively brief existence on Earth and an eternity of joy with our Creator. All our troubles, tears, and sorrows will be things of the past. That’s something to anticipate rather than fear!

How is this possible? Because mankind is helpless to follow their Creator's perfect law, God did so himself in the form of a man (Jesus). He willingly accepted death on a Roman cross in the place of sinners like you and me. Then, Christ proved he was God-in-the-flesh by rising to life in accordance with Old Testament prophesies written centuries earlier. The huge stone that had sealed Jesus’ grave was rolled away, and the tomb was empty:

“I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.” Jesus proclaims in Revelation 1:18. “I have authority over death and the world of the dead.”

One day, death will take you. But if you’ve put your faith in Jesus, death can’t keep you. It’s through the resurrection that he’s already defeated the grave: 

“I am the resurrection and the life,” the Savior announces through John’s gospel. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

The resurrection confirms everything Jesus claimed — and all the while launching his followers into mission. Likewise, it’s why we can believe Christ’s promises and have confidence in our eternal future. Because he conquered death, every Believer will overcome the inevitable.