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The Death of Death

The late Dr. Harry Ironside had told the story about a Hungarian countess who was an atheist. She commanded that her body be buried in a stone casket in a mausoleum that was to be built around it. A plate was to be placed on the front of the mausoleum giving her name and some particulars of her death and then the words: "Not to be opened for eternity."

However, while the mausoleum was being built an acorn fell into the tomb and out of the center of the tomb there grew an oak tree. The tomb was broken and the casket exposed by a tiny acorn.

When Pilate had Jesus crucified and buried, he said to the Roman soldiers to seal the tomb, guard it, and make it secure. Despite the powerful cordon of security placed around Jesus' grave, he still rose from his tomb on the third day. And because he lives, we too will live if our trust is in him.

As Jesus said, "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."¹ What a wonderful hope Christians have.

"Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"²

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that because Jesus rose from death we, too, have the assurance that all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and have put their trust in him will also rise from death to live with you forever in heaven. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John 5:28-29 (NIV).
2. 1 Corinthians 15:55.

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