Because He Lives: Death Has Been Defeated
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
-1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Each time in my life when I have been confronted with death (be it a grandparent, fellow church member, or a friend of a friend), there has been either a natural order of death or the barrier of being further removed from the one who was lost, which softened the blow to my heart. None of these encounters could have prepared me for the abruptness, harshness, and finality of death when we lost our daughter, Lydia, halfway through our pregnancy.
While I was sitting in the doctor’s office that day, death began to take on a new meaning for me. It was no longer just something inevitable that happens. It was personal, and the weight of it settled in as my husband and I kissed our daughter goodbye and walked out of the hospital carrying a box of things instead of our girl. But, as I have reflected on Lydia’s death and grown closer to the Lord in the wake, God has put it on my heart to realize that despite the ugliness of death, we could not have life without it. And, the most sweet comfort to my soul has been knowing that because of Jesus, death does not have to be final.
When I think of death’s defeat, I love to reflect on that very first Easter morning. The women of Galilee were on their way to prepare Jesus’s body for burial. They were prepared to encounter the reality of death, but instead they were met with the joy of life! This is greatest moment of history! Can you imagine the surprise, joy, and glory of this moment?
Matthew 28:5-6 says, “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.’” Our Savior, Jesus Christ, defeated sin and death for us so that we may have life. Let us look back at that verse from the beginning: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). I hope this verse makes your heart sing with thanksgiving.
As we rejoice over the victory we have in Jesus, it is important for us to take a minute to reflect on why we need this victory. Romans 3:23 says, “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” There is no way around it. Death is the ugly result of our sin, and our sin requires death. But, God did not just leave us to die. Our gracious and good heavenly Father has brought beauty from ashes. He sent His Son who defeated death to give us life. Hallelujah! Without Jesus’s death on the cross, there would be no resurrection, and the hope of eternal life would not be a reality that we can cling to. Through the death of His Son, He has made a way for us to have eternal life. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Sweet mama, if you are reading this, I know you have felt that ugly sting of death. But as you walk through it, I encourage you to lift your eyes up to Jesus. He has defeated death, so that it is no longer has to be final. Our precious little ones are in the presence of our Savior. We can rest knowing that even in sadness, beauty comes from death when we place our faith in Christ. If you do not have your faith in Christ, I urge you to reflect on what He has done. I ask you to humble yourself before our gracious God, confessing your sin and placing your faith in Jesus Christ. My prayer for all of us is that our hearts will be comforted in our grief and filled with hope because we have victory in Jesus!
- Carly Tweito
Hope Mom to Lydia Alice
My husband Josh and I live in South Carolina. We have three sons on earth and one daughter in heaven. I love spending time with my family, warm weather, coke zero, and cooking.
We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.
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