The Conqueror

"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:55-57

Happy Easter! I love celebrating Christ's triumphant day of victory over the tomb! Of course, for Christians, every day is Easter for us as Jesus is alive and His Holy Spirit dwells in us. But there's something special about Easter Sunday and rejoicing with other believers that Christ is our Conqueror!

But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:24

The wards of death who guarded the grave where Jesus lay were powerless to keep Him in, and the angel of the Lord would roll away the stone to prove that Jesus was not there anymore!

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. Matthew 28:1-4

When the Marys came to anoint Jesus' body, they were greeted by the angel. Can you imagine? Mourning the loss of your friend and Savior, and then arriving at His burial place to find out He's not there?

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.
Matthew 18:5-8

Great joy! Jesus, their King, had conquered death and triumphed over His crucifixion on Calvary. Truly, this is the Son of God. Truly, He is worthy of our worship and praise.

And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Matthew 18:9

Jesus the Risen King is now alive forevermore!

I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17-18

The Conqueror
Words by Salathial C. Kirk

O Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Thy triumphant day is come!
Day of glorious victory,
Over the boasting tomb!
All the shame and agony
Of the cruel cross He bore;
Died the Man of Galilee,
But rose the Conqueror!

Refrain
O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, thy victory?
The risen Lord, the Savior-King,
Has conquered death for me.

All in vain the wards of death
Guard the stony tenement;
But a whisper, yea, a breath,
Lo! its bars are rent!
Where is now the taunting reed,
And the crown of thorns He wore?
Ye have made a King, indeed,
And crowned a Conqueror!

O the glorious victory!
Jesus slain awakes again,
Triumphs over Calvary,
And the wiles of men!
Jesus now the risen King
Is alive forevermore!
Earth and Heaven tribute sing—
And hail Him Conqueror!