DYING
Why do people die?
BIBLE READING: Romans 5:12-21
KEY BIBLE VERSE: What a difference between our sin and God’s generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God’s bountiful gift. (Romans 5:15)
We Die Because Adam Brought Death Into the World.
We were all born into Adam’s physical family-the family line that leads to certain death. All of us have reaped the results of Adam’s sin. We have inherited his guilt, a sinful nature (the tendency to sin), and God’s punishment. Because of Jesus, however, we can trade judgment for forgiveness. We can trade our sin for Jesus’ goodness. Christ offers us the opportunity to be born into his spiritual family-the family line that begins with forgiveness and leads to eternal life. If we do nothing, we have death through Adam; but if we come to God by faith, we have life through Christ. Which family line do you now belong to?
We Confirm Our Link with Sinful Human Nature by Our Own Sins.
Death is the result of Adam’s sin and of the sins we all commit, even if they don’t resemble Adam’s. Paul reminds his readers that for thousands of years the law had not yet been explicitly given, and yet people died. The law was added, he explains in Romans 5:20, to help people see their sinfulness, to show them the seriousness of their offenses, and to drive them to God for mercy and pardon. This was true in Moses’ day, and it is still true today. Sin is a deep rupture between who we are and who we were created to be. The law points out our sin and places the responsibility for it squarely on our shoulders. But the law offers no remedy. When we are convicted of sin, we must turn to Jesus Christ for healing.
How can we face death?
BIBLE READING: Psalm 23:1-6
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
God Alone Can Lead Us through Death to Eternal Life.
Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with other enemies-pain, suffering, disease, injury-but strength and courage cannot overcome death. It has the final word. Only one person can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side-the God of life, our shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow this shepherd who offers us eternal comfort.
BIBLE READING: Hebrews 9:23-28
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again but not to deal with our sins again. This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)
Since Death Is Unavoidable, We Should Be Prepared.
All people die physically, but Christ died so that we would not have to die spiritually. We can have wonderful confidence in his saving work for us past, present, and future. He has forgiven our past sin-when he died on the cross, he sacrificed himself once for all (9:26); he has given us the Holy Spirit to help us deal with present sin; he appears for us now in heaven as our high priest (9:24); and he promises to return (9:28) and raise us to eternal life in a world where sin will be banished.
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When this happens-when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die-then at last the Scriptures will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
Christ Has Defeated Death for Us.
Satan seemed to be victorious in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and when Jesus died on the cross. But God turned Satan’s apparent victory into defeat when Jesus Christ rose from the dead (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15). Death is no longer a source of dread or fear. Christ overcame it, and one day we will also. The law will no longer make sinners out of us because we cannot keep it. Death has been defeated, and we have hope beyond the grave.
CHRIST’S DEATH
Why did Jesus die?
BIBLE READING: Matthew 20:20-28
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
Jesus Died to Ransom Us from the Bondage of Sin.
A ransom was the price paid to release a slave from bondage. Jesus often told his disciples that he must die, but here he told them why-to redeem all people from the bondage of sin and death. The disciples thought that as long as Jesus was alive, he could save them. But Jesus revealed that only his death would save them and the world.
BIBLE READING: John 12:20-36
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone-a single seed. But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.” (John 12:23-24)
Jesus Died to Prove His Power Over Death.
This is a beautiful picture of the necessary sacrifice of Jesus. Unless a kernel of wheat is buried in the ground, it will not become a blade of wheat producing many more seeds. Jesus had to die not only to pay the penalty for our sin, but also to show his power over death. His resurrection proves he has eternal life. Because Jesus is God, he can give this same eternal life to all who believe in him.
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Jesus Died to Give Us Hope.
Many Jews considered the Good News of Jesus Christ to be foolish because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king accompanied by signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David’s throne as they expected. Besides, he was executed as a criminal, and how could a criminal be a savior? Greeks, too, considered the gospel foolish: they did not believe in a bodily resurrection; they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods; and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory.
The Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. Our society worships power, influence, and wealth. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant, and he offers his kingdom to those with faith, not works. This looks foolish to the world, but Christ is our power, the only way we can be saved. Knowing Christ personally is the greatest wisdom anyone could have.