I Corinthians 15: 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
It takes some time to grasp all that’s being taught here. When Paul breaks down the gospel he reminds us of what Jesus did. In Adam we all die, a death to the soul, a living death. We can be vibrantly alive on the outside and dead inside. Sometimes we just get used to it. We see that with physical infirmities that pull us down. Our sinful nature didn’t bother us until the Lord began to deal with our heart. I’m glad the Lord showed me the sinner I was and glad he shows me when I get cold and indifferent.
The disciples had a hard time grasping it. Between Friday and Sunday they had doubts and unbelief. They had locked themselves in a room late the day of the resurrection. He could have cast them way and started fresh. Even though hidden, Jesus knew where they were. He showed himself to them. To many people Easter is just another holiday. When that first Easter was coming to a close Jesus came in the midst. Many leave Easter without any hope subject to an uncertain future. We can see this day to its close. Jesus wasn’t going to let it close without meeting with his disciples.
Life would be different for Adam’s race because Jesus died for sinners. It matters not who you are. Don’t close Easter on a down note. Jesus won victory over sin and Satan. He overcame the world. What? How? They arrested, beat and killed him. It seemed as if they overcame him. But they didn’t. We overcome through faith. The devil makes us feel weak and overcome. When we think about the future, we have no idea what it holds. Family circles are broken more and more. Paul tells us in Second Timothy 1:10 but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Jesus abolished death.
He conquered death. We have the advantage of faith in Jesus Christ. He gives us victory over sin and Satan and the righteous will have victory in death. There was a time when death ruled. Sin dominated. Sin brought death. Praise God for a Savior who died for us and rose again. The suffering of this present time won’t compare with what is to come. We’ll have a tabernacle not made with hands. Jesus overcame sin and Satan. The last enemy was death and when Jesus came out of the tomb on Easter morning the last enemy was conquered. He had the keys to death and the grave; he’s alive forevermore.
While in these bodies we have to contend with them as well as this sin-cursed world. Live every moment to the glory of God. The world may not think much of us. Our chief duty is to be a Christian. Trust the Lord to help you deal with the devil. The world system is corrupt and as it tries to poison us remember Jesus has the antidote. There is victory in Jesus. Even in times of suffering or going through the valley of the shadow of death we know victory because of what Jesus did. We know where our loved ones who died in the Lord are. Jesus still shines. We can face tomorrow even if it finds us in that valley God will give us the grace to go through. Then we’ll breathe in the cleanest air we’ve ever breathed.
People still die. We’re headed there if the Lord doesn’t come. Jesus conquered death so he could turn it into everlasting life. Graveyards won’t always be graveyards. Death will be abolished, destroyed. No one will die anymore. We’ll wake up to sleep no more. If we die in body we will still be alive in soul. We’ll lay our body at the feet of one who conquered death and be raised to a glorified body. This whole mess, including death, will pass away.
Sin won’t follow us to heaven. Death won’t follow us there. Jesus will walk with us and we’ll reign with him forever. Don’t get discouraged. Graveyards fill up fast but they’ll empty fast. No matter how bad death seems, it along with sin and hell will be cast into the lake of fire. We can go on and complete our purpose. At the end, be assured that death is under his feet and will be destroyed. No more enemy. Forever with the Lord.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 