The Living One
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:76-79
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
—Revelation 1:18
“Living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” We can relate to the emptiness and sadness of those words because we have experienced the shadow of death. As families gather for Christ-mas festivities, many feel the pain of an empty chair at the table. Some wonder whether Mom or Grandpa will survive to be here next Christmas. Others struggle with their own mortality. Is there comfort and hope?
Jesus was the only person born to die. He came to earth to bring us to heaven. He died to pay the penalty for our sin—death—and he rose to life again so that we might live forever with God. Death does not have the final word; Christ does.
Jesus came to destroy the powers of sin and death. He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live” (John 11:25). By taking on our sin, the cause of death, he has won for us eternal life.
Children of God are not parted forever at death. Rather, they look forward to a grand family reunion around the throne of the Father in heaven.
May we weep with those who weep. As the family of God, may we embrace each other in love. And may we find our hope and comfort in the victory of Jesus, the Lord of life.
Lord of life, shine your light into the shadows of our lives. Dispel our darkness and guide us into the path of peace. Thank you for defeating death and bringing eternal life. Amen.
About the author — Calvin Aardsma
Calvin Aardsma has been a pastor for more than thirty years. He has served churches in Indiana, Oregon, and the Chicago area. Currently, he is a pastor of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois. He also serves on the board of the Ugandan Orphanage Relief Fund. Cal and his wife, Sandy, have four children and five grandchildren.
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