Killing Death

I noticed the other day that the Church talks so much (especially around Easter) about the idea of Jesus "defeating death", that it almost makes it lose its meaning. Overcoming death is a concept more complex and massive than I think we're even capable of understanding.

Some psychologists theorized that every fear or phobia can be traced back in some way to a fear of death. It's this big inescapable monster that will eventually consume us all.

But the Good News of Christ is that death, though imminent, is nothing to be feared nor is it the end.

Here is a great video put out by LifeChurch.tv featuring the poetry of David Bowden, who beautifully describes the impact of death and the victory of Christ over the grave.

The Lord's Supper

There's nothing more important for God's children to remember than the cross. It's horrifying and disturbing, yet it's through that death and destruction where we find our life and restoration. Don't wince and turn away, but  tremble in awe at the blood that washes us clean.

Here's the word from an old old old hymn I was reading tonight. 

"Bread of the world, in mercy broken,
Wine of the soul, in mercy shed,
By whom the words of life were spoken,
And in whose death our sins are dead.

Look on the heart by sorrow broken,
Look on the tears by sinners shed;
And be Thy feast to us the token
That by Thy grace our souls are fed."
- Reginald Heber