The Jesus Bible Reading PlanNäide

DEATH REIGNS UNTIL CHRIST

The pace of chapter 5 demonstrates the tragedy of human sin. Person after person appears and then is gone. The repetition of the phrase “and then he died” reminds the reader of the implications of the curse. No longer can people live forever; they appear for a moment and then return to the ground (Ge 3:19). There is no escaping this reality. The just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous, all die. From Adam to Noah, death reigns universally. Jesus, knowing and experiencing this reality personally when confronted with the death of his friend Lazarus, makes a remarkable claim. Those who believe in him, even though their physical bodies will die, will be raised to new life forever (Jn 11:25 – 26). Like Christ, they will pass through death only to emerge victorious. Belief in Christ is the only antidote to the lineage of death recounted in Genesis and seen throughout all subsequent generations.

Jesus, thank you for taking away the sting of death. Thank you for having victory over the grave. I am so grateful that I can look forward to eternal life with you. Amen.