The penalty for sin is death. If you sinned, you died and ended up in hell. Death was the devil’s playground and, unfortunately, many people walked the road to death. 

Fortunately, God had a plan to stop this catastrophe once and for all. Jesus was sent to earth to be the Saviour and make a new way for those who believe in Him. 

Jesus’s journey was one of immense suffering. The agony of the cross was so overwhelming that even He cried out in despair: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” 

However, there was no other way. Jesus had to die. Jesus had to enter the dark depths of death so that He could rise from death and live again. 

To prove you are the strongest, you must first take on the second strongest. You must climb into the boxing ring and take down your opponent so that your arm is raised in the air after the fight. 

To conquer death, Jesus had to go there first. You see, the devil had the keys to Hades, and he unlocked the doors for anyone he wanted to push inside. 

However, when Jesus rose from the dead, He took the keys of Hades from the devil, and now Jesus is in control. Jesus took the sting out of death and, therefore, nothing can happen to those who believe in Him. 

This burst the devil’s bubble. His power was taken away. 8… The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the devil’s ways. 

Jesus came to bear the punishment for our sins. He died in our place so that we do not have to be killed for the sin we commit. 

By breaking the bands of death, Jesus liberated those held in its kingdom, ensuring death’s inability to retain us. 

That is why we no longer have to fear death. Yes, we’re still a little bit afraid of leaving the earth, but that’s only because we fear the unfamiliar and the transition. 

But we don’t have to be afraid that death will overpower us. Jesus has already taken care of that and overcome the devil with his sneaky methods. 

Thank goodness for that. 

Therefore, let us live out this truth each day. Let us proclaim to the world our freedom from death’s power. Let our lives be a declaration of the eternal life that has already begun. 

Scripture
1 John 3:4-10 

Reflection
What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you?
How do you live differently because of it?
Can others see it in your life? 

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for Your death, which redeemed me and opened the way to life. Thank you that I am spared the penalty of death for my sins. Guide me to live in the freedom You have granted me. Amen.