Death is a most powerful enemy. It is no respecter of persons and no one can defeat it. Consider the sad irony that the physicians at Mayo Clinic, with their wisdom and ability to deter death, have more money tied up in life insurance than ordinary people.

Job describes death’s horrifying effect “after my skin is destroyed.” Death can strike fear in our hearts with this thought of decay. Why must we deal with death? “The wages of sin is death,” St. Paul answers. Death exists because of our sin—our greed, self-centeredness, lust, and hatred.

Young people are tempted to think that death is not real since it seems so far away in time. A walk through cancer units shows children dealing with death each day. They have it right; we may be living in denial.

Two meters keep track of everyone’s life. One meter counts the days and years as they go by. God permits us to see this meter as we calculate our age. But God does not let us see the other meter—the one which counts down how many days on earth we have left. What would be each person’s thoughts if while reading this he realized that he had already lived seventy per cent of his life?

Death has no feelings of compassion. Some have died on their wedding night, during vacations, coming home from a prom, in bed, at work, and even sitting in a sanctuary. As the Scripture states, “In the midst of life we are in death.”It is already inside of us. In our aches and pains, death is producing little signs of its presence.

With our meter running down, we can rejoice in the words of Job: “I know that my Redeemer lives.”His Redeemer! What an important title for Christ and the work He has accomplished. Because of many kidnappings in Italy some have taken out “Ransom Insurance.” In many such kidnappings the ransom is placed into a container, delivered and then counted before the victim’s release.

With His death Christ has placed Himself in the container as the Ransom price. St. Peter writes: “You know that you were ransomed...not with perishable things such as gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus paid the price. But would God accept that ransom as sufficient to release us from the guilt of sin? As Christ’s cold body rested in the tomb on Good Friday night, the Father counted to verify the ransom price—He counted through Saturday—He counted into Sunday morning. And then the decision was made: the ransom covered us! It was sufficient. It satisfied the demands for our sin and death. To show His acceptance of the ransom price the Father opened our Savior’s grave—His resurrection is now God’s stamp of approval! St Paul says: “He (Christ) was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).

What does this mean for you and me? If you live with fear of all your guilt, if you are concerned about a particular sin, if you fear the thought of facing God after death—here is God’s statement: “He is risen!” This means that Christ has purchased you personally back to God. This Ransom is sufficient because Jesus is God! No one less than God could set us free from sin and death.

Faith in this risen Christ provides us with the antidote to this deadly enemy. That is why Job says with such confidence: “After my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.” On this sacred festival day, God invites you with all boldness to stare down at your own coffin and hear Jesus say: “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19).

We shall live because Christ has transferred His power over death to your personal account as a believer in Him. Christ has mastered death and given that victory to you.

Imagine what it will be like on the last day when your body will reawaken. Your dried-up blood will once again flow in your veins, your lungs again fill with oxygen, your eyes beneath their closed lids start to move! “Will it actually be my body?” Job answers for our comfort: “In my flesh I shall see God—with my own eyes.”

Christ’s resurrection gives us a new outlook on life. It permits us to look to our future and at the things of this world in a completely different way. Job, in the middle of his suffering, is now able to say: “How my heart yearns within me.”What drives and motivates you in life? What are you living for and striving for? God invites you to live for real, lasting life—the life which is to come. Live for the resurrection—the very one which your Lord has so securely obtained for you. Cling to Him now and always, the very One who invites you: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10).

Donald Moldstad is co-pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota. This article was excerpted from an Easter sermon delivered on March 27, 2005.