Simply Divine Love: Life Lesson: Victory Over Death!

LIFE LESSON: Victory Over Death!

INSPIRATION The year 1899 marked the deaths of two well-known men--Dwight L. Moody, the acclaimed evangelist, and Robert Ingersoll, the famous lawyer, orator, and political leader.

The two men had many similarities. Both were raised in Christian homes. Both were skilled orators . . . . Both drew immense crowds when they spoke and attracted loyal followings. But there was one striking difference between them --their view of God.

Ingersoll was an agnostic; he had no belief in the eternal, but stressed the importance of living only in the here and now. Ingersoll made light of the Bible . . . The bible was "a fable, an obscenity, a humbug, a sham, and a lie . . .

Dwight L. Moody, had different convictions. He dedicated his life to presenting a resurrected King to a dying people. He embraced the Bible as the hope of humanity and the cross as the turning point of history. He left behind a legacy of written and spoken words. Institutions of education, churches and changed lives.

Two men. Both powerful speakers and influential leaders. One rejected God; the other embraced him. The impact of their decisions is seen most clearly in the way they died.

Ingersol died suddenly. The news of his death stunned his family. His body was kept at home for several days because his wife was reluctant to part with it. It was eventually removed for the sake of the family's health.

Ingerosll's remains were cremated, and the public response to his passing was altogether dismal. For a man who put all his hopes on the world, death was tragic and came without consolation of hope.

Moody's legacy was different. On December 22, 1899. Moody awoke to his last winter dawn. Having grown increasingly weak during the night, he began to speak in slow measured words, "Earth recedes, heaven open before me!" Son Will, who was nearby, hurried across the room to his father's side.

"Father, you are dreaming," he said.

"No. This is no dream, Will," Moody said, "It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. God is calling me, and I must go. Don't call me back."

At that point, the family gathered around, and moments later the great evangelist died. It was his coronation day--a day he had looked forward to for many years. He was with his Lord.

. . . There was no despair. Loved ones gathered to sing praise to God at a triumphant home-going service. Many remembered the words the evangelist had spoken earlier that year in New York City: "Someday you will read in the papers that Mood is dead. Don't you believe a word of it., At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now."

. . . I was born of the flesh in 1837, I was born of the spirit in 1855. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit shall live forever." (From the Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado)

READ Mark 16:1-20

SITUATION Jesus was crucified and his body buried. His followers were dismayed because he did not create a kingdom on earth. Because he died so close to the Sabbath (a day on which Israelites could do no work), his body was not completely prepared for burial. Once the Sabbath was over, some women set out, intending to put sweet-smelling spices on his body.

OBSERVATION Jesus was not simply a man who led a good life and died He rose from the dead. Death cannot hold him or his followers. God conquered death, and gave us hope.

APPLICATION What do you fear about death? Remember that Jesus did the impossible by rising from the dead. One day your body and spirit will rise from the dead.

EXPLORATION Victory over Death -- Psalm 23:4; Hosea 13:14; Romans 8:2; 1 Corinthians 15:54_57, Ephesians 2:4-5.

The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, Max Lucado General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publishers, New Century Version