1 Corinthians 15:55, O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The “sting” is meant to hurt, inflict pain and cause untold affliction and misery. Death is described as a deadly sting that cripples and paralyzes the victim. And the dead person is then placed in a grave, buried and his body return to the dust. That’s the end of physical life and the end of all hope for any man. His loved ones and friends can only feel the loss and endure the pain.

Death is a great nullifier. All that the man has, he leaves behind. Naked he came and naked he went. A sobering truth that jolts one to think of the meaning of life and its purpose. Such a question is posed by the preaching of the gospel to the miserable man, confronted with the prospect of death so that he may understand there is a solution that God has devised for his salvation. And the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he died, provides that solution and signals that victory. Death is no longer a sting to the believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus will bring about the resurrection, remake of a glorious, incorruptible body for the soul that dies in Christ. This is the hope that is put forth for our encouragement.

Indeed, death and the grave has been overcome by the final resurrection of the dead and living in Christ. May it strengthen and bless the hearts of His people to preach the good news of 1 Corinthians 15:55 to this miserable generation of men still without hope. Amen.