The Conqueror of Death

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:51 pm Post subject: The Conqueror of Death

The Conqueror of Death

Scripture:

And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul: neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed, was his own; but all things were common unto them. And with great power did the apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord; and great grace was in them all. For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things they sold, and laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need.
(Acts 4:32-35)

Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loves him who begot, loves him also who is born of him. In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not heavy. For whatsoever is born of God, overcomes the world: and this is the victory which overcomes the world, our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifies, that Christ is the truth.
(1 John 5:1-6)

Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.

He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive you the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas: Put in your finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither your hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God. Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.
(John 20:19-31)

Reflection:

As we look at the time of the early church, we see a time of fear and persecution. Throughout the eras of history, many trials have fallen upon the followers of Christ. We might wonder, how is it that they have survived all the evils arrayed against them? The answer may be found in the One whom they seek and the love which He calls us to share.

The world presents many challenges, but as people join together with the power of their Creator, such challenges can be overcome. We may be tempted to look at our accomplishments through the eyes of our self-wisdom and our personal endeavors, but how long would we be able to survive against the world if we found ourselves alone and without the technology of our day?

It was not that long ago that most of our modern conveniences were simply dreams. As we look at the days to come, who knows what will be brought forth in the morrow about which we will marvel only to take for granted in days to come. Even as we give credit to those who have invented and discovered, many other hands became required for blessings to be shared.

So it was, those of the early church came together and shared of what they had so that the blessings they received would become blessings they would also share, the most important of which were the blessings of civility, compassion, caring, and charity. It was through the sharing of love by which the community grew and it was by their trust in God that they were able to prevail against the onslaughts of the evil one.

There is no fullness of living without the help of another. In isolation, we may protect ourselves from hurt and emotional harm, but with hands joined in love and common purpose, there is so much more we can do, so much more we can accomplish. Even still, if we are left to the ways of the world, destruction is our path, but if we look to the One who created us, He waits with patience to show us a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

There are some who say that His commandments are too hard, that it is too difficult to obey. This is the deception of the evil one, for if we examine the commandments of the Lord, we must see that they are commandments of love. If we were to truly understand, we would realize that to turn from His commandments is to turn away from the ways of love. Is it really our belief that evil is preferable to love?

So it was, they crucified love and justice. Upon a cross He was put to death. The prince of death thought it a victory, but it is the Prince of Peace, the One who conquered death, who stands victorious. His disciples fled in fear. In isolation they huddled so that hearts of evil would not find them and lift them up, too, to destruction. They did not comprehend the victory until their Lord appeared before them, to breath the Holy Spirit upon them, to grant them the authority of forgiveness, and to send them forth to make disciples of all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

Blessed are those who witnessed, for they saw that though the evil battle rages in our time, the war over evil was won as the sting of death was removed. ( 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 ) Let is, then, follow the Victor. Let us seek His ways, for His ways are truth and the blessings which He shares are the blessings of eternal love. Let us gather in those who doubt and share with them our love, for that is His desire, that through the example of love, all might be healed of the afflictions of the world so that we may survive the time of great distress and wash our robes white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:13-14)

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways may we share blessings within our community?

What is the outcome when we follow His commandments?

What are the causes of our doubt and what is the power of our belief?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier