“’Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the
law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are living in a world where it feels as though death is reigning. The violence in the Denver Metro area is all around us. We hear of shootings every day. People are often afraid to walk down the street alone. War is raging in Ukraine and we hear of the deaths of the innocents as women, children and the elderly are targeted. Can we listen to the news without having violence and death in our face? We want to cry and we want to scream… “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
It feels as though death and violence are winning! It feels as though violence and hatred are in control! It feels as though hope has been taken away! It feels as though the devil is winning! But remember, as Hosea prophesied (Hosea 13:14) and Paul reiterated, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Then comes the promise, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are a people of HOPE! We are a people of LIFE! We are a people of PROMISE! We are a people of PRAYER! We are a people of the RESURRECTION! We are a people who are CALLED to speak to the world around us challenging the violence and hatred with the promise of LOVE and COMPASSION that comes from our Lord.
Holy week leads us through the reality of darkness and sin! (The world has not changed.) There were moments where it seemed as though Jesus was defeated and the world had won! (The world has not changed.) There were moments when the ground shook, the curtain was ripped, the sky turned black and death was overwhelmingly present! (The world has not changed.) But remember….know….believe…death does not win! The VICTORY belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. (God has not changed!)
As we are walking toward the CROSS we are also walking toward the RESURRECTION. It is important to remember this. We must go to and through the CROSS to truly experience Christ’s promise and the RESURRECTION. Without the CROSS there is no RESURRECTION. Without the darkness there will be no light.
Without the pain there will be no healing. Without Jesus’ willingness to be wounded for us and cry from the CROSS…there would be no hope for us. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? It is gone for, “thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I ask that you make it your commitment to return to CELEBRATE the VICTORY of Christ with us!
I do want to thank you all for your support (in person and financial) and overall commitment to the ministry at Bethel over these last two years with COVID. The doors have opened up, masks only if you want and no number restrictions. Join us as we will have more opportunities to be together.
In Christ,
Pastor Barb
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