“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.”

Paul’s triumphant cry in our verses for today concludes his long argument about the resurrection. Paul, himself “resurrects” and reshapes prophetic lines proclaimed by God regarding Israel’s promised restoration (see Hosea 13:14). Now, we who have believed the gospel are included in that victory over sin and death and made to be heaven-bound with “the man of heaven”—our Savior, Jesus! (1 Corinthians 15).

Note the vivid figurative language Paul uses to speak of death. It comes at us, almost like an attack, and “stings” us, like a bee or yellow jacket if disturbed within its hive. With this kind of imagery invoked by the Apostle, the “sting of death” is not merely that of physically dying, but it highlights the fear and finality of death itself. The victory, however, represented in Christ’s resurrection, renders sin and its resulting death powerless, void of any terror of separation from God!

Imagining the pending sting “swatted” out of existence; we are left, standing with only one word of authentic response to give for God’s “inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15)—“Thanks!”

Two points drawn from this are simple, yet profound. The first is that because of Christ’s death, death itself no longer has the final word. Sin no longer holds dominion, and the law can no longer condemn. The cross made forgiveness a certainty, once for all eternity. Second, Christ’s resurrection, another once-for-all-eternity event, promises eternal life for the believer. Indeed, we could not ask for a greater victory! During this season of expressing gratitude, this is perhaps the first gift for which to thank God.

I am reminded of one more image which may draw our attention to the inexpressible gift of Christ Himself. William Holman Hunt’s painting (c. 1853), the “Light of the World,” hangs in the side chapel of Keble College, Oxford, U.K. It is an image drawn from Revelation 3:20, of Christ knocking on the “door” of the heart of mankind, harkening for entrance for mutual fellowship. The door in Hunt’s picture reveals no handle, only rusty nails and hinges, all overgrown with ivy, denoting that it has never been opened, or, at the least, completely shut for a very long time. Christ is revealed with a halo of light surrounding a crown of thorns, surely denoting the sacrifice He is bringing to those shut in darkness. In the night-time scene, Christ is holding a lantern with star-like openings, revealing a light (i.e., the Word of God) coming into the world, offered to mankind through fellowship with this redemptive and restorative Savior. Below, His feet are written the words of Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me.” If you have experienced that type of redemptive fellowship with Christ, take time to express it often during this season of gratitude.

By Dr. Bill Niblette, friend of Bible League International, United States