How did Jesus defeat death?

As Christians, we believe that Jesus’ death was not a tragic accident, but that he died willingly. Jesus taught us that through his death God’s power would be released to defeat Satan. His death was the greatest demonstration of power the world has ever seen. He was not surrendering to forces stronger than himself, but through his death, overthrowing them.

Life after death

Jesus’ death has inspired many Christians. That’s not to say that his followers glorify death, but that his death brings life to us all. Celebrating Jesus’ death means celebrating the life that flows from it. After the sombre marking of Good Friday comes the glorious celebration of Easter Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ resurrection and triumph in the face of defeat.

They say that the only things we can be sure of in life are ‘death, disappointment and taxes’. In fact, we can act to overcome our disappointments and cope with taxes – but death is the one thing we have no power over, despite recent advances in technology. But Jesus’ resurrection robs death of its power. Jesus promises us that following his first resurrection, we will all be raised to life again one day.

An illustration

We are sometimes offered glimpses of life through death in everyday life. For example, the death of persecuted or morally upright people exposes the moral frailty of the people or regimes that kill them. Death and weakness can also overthrow tyranny – as the peaceful resistance of the Indians against the British Raj demonstrated during the 20th century. Using force against peaceful people exposes evil and compels onlookers to take sides – usually with those who suffer unjustly.

                         Doubting Thomas puts his hand in Jesus' wounds after the resurrection