A boy and his father were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring afternoon when a bumblebee flew in the car window. The little boy, who was allergic to bee stings, was petrified. The father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his hand and then released it.
The boy grew frantic as the bee buzzed by him. Once again the father reached out his hand but, this time, he pointed to his palm. There stuck in his skin was the stinger of the bee.
“Do you see this?” he asked. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’ve taken the sting for you.”
Friends, we do not need to fear death anymore. Christ has died and risen again. He has taken the sting of death.
On Sunday mornings we have been looking at Genesis 1-5 (In the Beginning God!) and have seen again the devastating consequences of sin. God warned Adam and Eve that, if they took of the forbidden fruit, they would die. God gave them a gift: the Freedom to choose whether they would obey Him or go their own way. They listened to the Tempter and chose the way of sin and self. The consequence of their disobedience was death. The moment they chose the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3), they died spiritually and began the process of physical death.
The consequences of sin and death continue in the next chapter (Genesis 4) when Cain murdered his brother. Godly Abel is the first person to die and it continues in the next chapter. Physical death is dramatically portrayed in Genesis 5. We see the phrase over and over – “and he died”. Death is mankind’s ultimate destination. Each one of us has an appointment with the grave. Many people live in fear of death.
The Good News is that a deliverer was promised (Genesis 3:15). A son of the woman would arise to bring salvation. Satan would strike his heel, but he would crush the enemy’s head.
Friends, that is exactly what happened on Calvary’s cross! Satan struck Christ’s heel with excruciating agony, but Jesus crushed Satan’s head when He died on our behalf to pay the penalty for sin and when He rose triumphant from the grave to prove His authority over sin. Jesus defeated death, hell and the grave! He took the sting for us. As the Apostle Paul exclaims in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has taken the sting of death away and you can live in victory!
If you are not able to join us in person or will miss this Sunday’s Live broadcast on Facebook at 10:35am, the recording will be posted later that day right here at our Website and YouTube channel. Please share these online resources with others so they can also be inspired and encouraged.
Update: Sunday morning Bible classes for all ages begins again this Sunday. Set your alarm clock an hour earlier and join us at 9:30am for a valuable time of study in the Word.
If you are interested in a mid-week interactive Zoom Bible study, please email me: pastor@honoluluag.com.
Mahalo and Aloha ke Akua!