The Death of Death

During the days of the Soviet Union, there were constant lines in Moscow to view the remains of their founder, Lenin. After the fall of communism, the lines were longer for a Big Mac at the MacDonald's in Red Square.

If you were so inclined, you could find the 8 sufas (temples) where the cremated remains (relics) of the Buddha are enshrined.

If you were a good Muslim, you might travel to Medina and visit the Prophet's Mosque and the tomb of Mohammad, the second holiest place in Islam.

One of the most incredible things about Christianity, and the thing that differentiates us from the world's great religions, is that you cannot visit any site that holds the remains of our founder. Why? Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. He is alive. And we celebrate the fact that all we have left is an empty tomb and the expectation of his return.

This week we contemplate the story of Jesus' determined self-sacrifice; his resolute journey through opposition and suffering, finally walking the Via Dolorosa to Calvary and death.

But the pain and suffering of Good Friday is not the end of the story. We all look forward to Sunday and the celebration of Jesus' triumph over suffering and death--because he rose from the dead.

Paul tells us in his long discussion about resurrection: "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (1 Cor. 15: 14). That is why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is "of first importance" (vs. 3).

And so we have something called hope. "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (vs. 54). "Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs. 57).

So join with the Church worldwide in celebrating the death of death and the promise of eternal life this Sunday! He is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!