Death is Defeated

"God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death." Acts 2:24

As I have been reflecting on Holy Week this week, one song has been on my mind - "Forever" by Kari Jobe. I have been listening to it multiple times a day, and meditating on this song has been an impactful experience for me throughout the week. As we go into this weekend of Good Friday and celebrating Resurrection Sunday, I wanted to share the song and lyrics while reflecting on the sacrifice that was made for us:

"The moon and stars they wept

The morning sun was dead

The Savior of the world was fallen

His body on the cross

His blood poured out for us

The weight of every curse upon Him"

As the song begins, the lyric that really got to me was "the weight of every curse upon Him." This is something that, for me, is unimaginable. Jesus didn't just have the weight of our sins nailed to the cross with Him, He had every curse laid upon Him as well.

"One final breath He gave

As Heaven looked away

The Son of God was laid in darkness

A battle in the grave

The war on death was waged

The power of hell forever broken"

As the song continues, the line that speaks to me the most is "as Heaven looked away". Jesus had the weight of the world upon Him and in all His pain and suffering, He felt as though God had abandoned Him. We see this in Matthew 27:46

"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice.

" Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?" that is,

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

"The ground began to shake

The stone was rolled away

His perfect love could not be overcome

Now death where is your sting

Our resurrected King

Has rendered you defeated

Forever, He is glorified

Forever, He is lifted high

Forever, He is risen

He is alive

He is alive"

As the song changes its tune to the resurrection, I can't help but turn the song up a little louder and smile. The stone was rolled away. Death was defeated. Sin was forgiven. The veil in the temple was torn. Intimacy and closeness with God was available to everyone, not just the High Priest. God's presence could now be everywhere.

Journal Prompt - As you go into this weekend, I encourage you to take some time to listen to "Forever" and reflect on the lyrics. What lyrics stand out to you the most? What does the resurrection story mean for you? Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you in your pain and suffering? What pain and suffering can you surrender to Jesus, knowing that it has already been defeated on the cross? What joy and happiness can you now experience knowing that death is defeated and God's presence is available to all?

"God raised him up, ending the pains of death,

because it was not possible for him to be held by death."

Acts 2:24

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Prayers & Love Always

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