The Apostles Creed
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14
There is a piece of artwork on my office wall that pictures a hand nailed to a piece of wood (the cross). Beneath it is the English translation of Martin Luther’s – “Es war ein wonderlich Krieg.” It reads, “It was a peculiar war, when death and life contended. The Life, which held on to victory, has swallowed up death. The Scriptures proclaimed it: hHow one death devoured the other. Death has become a joke. Alleluia.”
In the Apostles’ Creed we confess that Jesus died. Where death is usually the end for most heroes, it was not so for the Prince of Life, Jesus Christ. On the third day Jesus rose again. Death no longer has dominion over Him (Romans 6:9).
It was a truly peculiar war when God granted all of humankind life through the death of His Son. The reason that the Son of God took up human flesh and blood was to destroy the one who had started humankind down the wide road that leads to destruction. It was by means of death that God destroyed death and brought life and immortality to us in Christ. Death is neutered. It has no power over us.
The next time that you stand before the remains of a loved one who died trusting in Jesus…remember that because of Jesus’ death and rising again to life…death has no more power.
Jesus lives! And now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense,
Jesus is my confidence! Amen.
The Lutheran Hymnal 201:5