BY: PASTOR MIKE SANDERS
The story is told of a dad who took his son on a fishing trip. A window was rolled down slightly, and a bee buzzed his way into the car. The little boy was frightened and grew more agitated as the bee flew around the interior of the vehicle.
Moments later the dad stopped the car and quickly grabbed the bee in his hand. He gripped the bee tightly until it penetrated the flesh of his palm. Leaving the stinger embedded in the flesh. Then he let it go.
The dad then explained, “Son, his stinger is in my hand. He will fly around a bit but remember that he cannot hurt you. The stinger is gone.”
Today you and I don’t have to fear death even though its presence may be near in our life. For Christians, death has no more power, because God has taken away our sin. Jesus said, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.” John 14:19 (NKJV) The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the reason for our Hope. The hope in the promise of the resurrection is what sustains us in the trials of life.
Jesus has removed the sting of death through His resurrection. If we have faith in Christ then for the believer death is merely a transition from this earthly life to our heavenly life with Christ forever. Therefore, we agree with the Apostle Paul when he said, “Oh death where is your victory, oh death, where is your sting?”
How we live and how prepared we are to die are both extremely important. It’s important to understand, however, that only those who are ready to die are ready to live! And to be prepared to die we must know Jesus.