The Agony of Death

Scripture:

Acts 2:24  "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to he held in its power".

Observation:

As Luke is recording his observations of what happened after Christ resurrected and was putting together a history of the early church, he declares to us that Christ put "an end to the agony of death".   It was impossible for death to hold onto Christ.  He was the firstfruits of the resurrection.  Because He was raised, we also will be raised.  The agony that death produces is gone forever for those who believe.

Application:

It was apparent that the apostles had no fear of death once they saw Christ ascend to heaven and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  The agony or fear of death was gone because they knew that if Christ resurrected, they also would live again.  Jesus had told them not to fear those who could you, but to fear the one who could put you into hell.  Now they were empowered to actually not fear death.  We, as believers, have nothing to fear in death.

Prayer:

Father, make the resurrection more real to me every day.  I want to live a life of no fear except for You.  Help me to understand that the agony of death is over and there is nothing to fear.  Thank You for raising Christ from the dead and giving me confidence that I can have eternal life.

Yours,
Jeff