“On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.” (Isaiah 25:7-8a)

After the birth of Jesus, it was time for Him to be consecrated, dedicated and redeemed unto the Lord as was required by the law for every firstborn male child. “Redeem every firstborn among your sons.” (Exodus 13:13b) At the Temple there was a man named Simeon, who it had been revealed that he would see the Messiah. When he saw Jesus he declared, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32) The Messiah would light the way for the Gentles and fulfill the promise to the Jews to bring to them God’s glory.

Jesus prayed for the church as He prepared to go to the cross. His prayer was that they would see the glory of God through Him. “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.” (John 17:1-2) Eternal life could be given to the people if the curse of death could be defeated.

The promise of victory over death had been prophesied by Isaiah as he looked to the coming of the Messiah. “On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.” (Isaiah 25:7-8a) This was a promise for the whole world. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The only way to defeat death and swallow it up would be for the Messiah to rise from the dead. That is exactly what Jesus did. Also, the only way that death could be defeated would be if one was a perfect, sinless sacrifice. Isaiah would also say in the prophecy, “The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 25:8b) The shame and disgrace of sin would also be defeated through Jesus’ resurrection. Faith in the promise and action of the Messiah brings us salvation and forgives our sin and gives us eternal life. “’Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:11-13)

The Christian life is about learning to live in this relationship with God. While we still struggle with sin, we have a Savior who will help us every day, learn how to live in the victory which He won through the resurrection. All the while we keep focused on His promise because the day is coming when that victory will be complete.  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:3-5) All because, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54b)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block