The Sting Removed

In the moment life ceases in this body, Death comes to lay claim. I am here for the body. Jesus says, It’s not yours. Death says, all sinners are mine. Jesus says, by what authority? Death says, the law says he’s mine. Jesus says, I died in his place. Death says, he’s mine forever. Jesus, No, I have given him eternal life. He will never die. Death says, his body is mine. Jesus says, only for a little while. When I come back, it’s mine forever. I am the resurrection and the life.

That’s why Paul breaks into this song of rejoicing. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The law has been fulfilled. Death has been defeated. The sting is forever removed. Thanks be to God!

A few weeks ago, an old-timer around here said, when you get to end of chapter 15, are you going to tell the story of the bee in the car? Many years ago I borrowed an illustration from Frank Peretti about a bee in the car. This person reminded me of it. So, back by popular demand, I conclude with the story of the bee in the car.

Imagine there’s this family on vacation. It’s a beautiful day. They are cruising down the highway. Sunny, warm day with the windows down. Everything’s great. Suddenly, a big, old and black bee comes through the window and into the car. Bzzzzzz. The little girl, sitting in the back starts screaming. She’s allergic to bees and if she is stung she could die in an hour. Daddy, Daddy, there’s a bee, there’s a bee! He’s doing to sting me! Dad in the front seat knows this is serious and is trying to slow down and get off the road. The bee is buzzing around the car. Daddy, Daddy I am scared! I’m scared! It’s going to sting me! With one hand Dad’s driving and with the other hand, the Dad is trying to catch the bee… The bee lands for just a moment on the windshield. The dad pins it against the window and then cups it with his hand. It’s in there! Bzzzzz. The Dad waits. Bzzzzzz. The Dad waits. Bzzzzz. Finally it happens, bam. Eoowww! The Dad opens his hand and let’s the bee go. The little girl goes hysterical. Daddy, Daddy its going to sting me! Its going to kill me! No, no, honey, it’s not going to sting you. Look, look what I have in my hand. He shows her his hand and right there in his palm is the big, nasty black stinger. Honey, he can’t sting you because he stung me. He doesn’t have a stinger. Sweetie, there is nothing to fear.

That is what Jesus did for us. He took the sting of death and after the Cross he opens his palms to us and says, Look at my scars, I took the sting for you, there is nothing to fear.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

© 2011 Steve DeWitt. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author, (2) any modifications are clearly marked, (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, (4) you include Bethel’s web site address(http://www.bethelweb.org/) on the copied resource.