Fear is an ominous thing. Fear is a crippling thing. Fear stalks all humanity and ruthlessly enslaves untold millions. Fear makes the strong weak, kills courage, creates cowards. It disfigures victory into a diseased dream and crushes us with defeat. Fear…….Smell it? Foul..fervid… Fear………Feel it? Haunting…paralysing…traumatising.
But resounding through the centuries of time, from an empty tomb comes the cry, “Fear Not!”. Death, mortals most dreaded enemy, the destroyer of slaves and kings, has been conquered! Jesus, mighty Creator and glorious Redeemer, crushed death!
The power of death – yea, its fatal sting – comes from sin. Dying wasn’t – isn’t – the problem. It is sin, this sin thing, that separates us in life from God and dooms us to hell for eternity. Thus the power and horror of death. And every person is born a sinner, the “gene” of Adam’s transgression. And therein is our impotence when faced with danger, when faced with death. Satan celebrated his comprehensive victory.
Then came the sinless One, the Lamb of God. Born of a woman but not of a human father. Yes, miraculously conceived in a virgin by the Holy Spirit, Jesus was the Second Adam over whom death had no power, for whom death had no sting. His sinlessness qualified Him alone to die for our sins and be our atonement, making us at one with God. His sinlessness gave Him the authority to conquer sin, death and hell, and rise from the dead with glory and power on the third day!
And because Jesus lives we shall live also! His redeeming blood sets us free from sin and thus sin’s sting.
Death is now a toothless lion, roaring loudly but impotent. Those who fully trust in Christ alone fear not death. Fear – gone! Resurrection – feel it!
Herein is liberating reality. If death is our worst, most powerful enemy and has been conquered – yes, since through Christ’s resurrection we have no fear of death what is there to fear? Nothing! Nothing!! Nothing!!!
Resounding from the empty tomb, piercing our night of storm, shattering every fear are the words, “Fear Not!!!” Therefore irrespective of threats and danger we obey God and do the right. Therefore we speak truth to power. Therefore we calmly risk losing friends, favour and fortune. Therefore we go to the broken, to those in whom hope has died and whisper, “Fear not”. Therefore we stare death in the face and say, “ O death where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” We live resurrection!
Pastor Philip Gumbs
Church of God (Holiness)
President, Anguilla Evangelical Association
