How to Escape Death? Aby Kuruvilla, Mumbai We want to start on a somber note. Death is inescapable. Whether we are healthy, wealthy, wise, or mighty, no one can escape this imminent event. Some are spending millions of dollars on science and technology to reverse the ageing of their bodies. Yet, God the Creator declares, "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades” (Isa. 40:6, 7). “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement” (Heb. 9:27). Unique Man Nevertheless, there was one Man in history who made an astounding claim about His life: "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." (John 10:18) This is Jesus Christ of whom it is written, “the same was in the beginning with God” (John 1:2). He is uncreated, coequal with God, who came in the likeness of men into this sinful world. Of mankind, it is written, “all have sinned” and “sin when it is finished bringeth forth death” (Rom. 3:23, James 1:15). But of Christ it is written, “in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Sin, the root cause of death, was not found in Him. Thus, by the glory of His nature and the glory of His sinless life, He could not die. Men tried to destroy Him out of envy and hatred. They tried to cast Him down the hill (Luke 4:29), they sent soldiers to arrest Him (John 7:44), and they even tried to stone Him to death (John 10:31). But no one could do anything to Him before His hour came. Controlled Death When His hour was come, He told those who came to arrest Him, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53). His enemies couldn’t overtake Him, but He would allow them to apprehend Him. He reprimanded the governor who thought it was in his authority to crucify Christ saying, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11). In a divine arrangement incomprehensible to man, they crucified Him, thinking that this would destroy Him. But He would not die due to intense sufferings or the crucifixion. But when the time was come, He said, “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit:” and having said thus, He gave up the ghost (Luke 23:46). He was in complete control of when He should lay down His life. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. It was gloriously proclaimed that day – “He is not here, for He is risen as He said” (Matt. 28:6). Death for Life Christ died on the cross for our sins, so that we can live through His death. Here, we present to you One, who mocked death by defeating death. When we confess our sins and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation, we receive the same assurance of resurrection in Christ. We can then boldly look at the face of death and say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55). Death is not the end for those who trust in the Lord. An endless life awaits them on the other shore.

Grace & Peace e-periodical Vol. 19 No. 3| March 2024  In this issue: - Perspective: The Death of Christ Outline: -1 Sufferings of Christ according to Peter Outline:-2   Results of the Resurrection Anecdote: Substitute Soldier  Practical: - 1 Appropriating the Death of Christ as a Believer Practical: -2  Resurrection Ground: A Believer’s Perspective Meditation: The Resurrection Power of Christ Exhortation: Resurrection: Practical implications Reflection: Why No Easter Celebration? Gospel:How to Escape Death?

22/02/24

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