Thought for the Lord's Day #4

In 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, [Paul] sings with a holy ravishment of joy the praises of God and Christ our Redeemer, by whose achievement this glorious victory over death is won: The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." This indeed is our David who cut off the head of this Goliath with His own sword. He killed death by falling dead upon it. He unstung this serpent by receiving its sting into His own blessed body. He overcame the great conqueror by submitting Himself for a time to be conquered by it. When Christ lost His life, then His whole army of saints won the day. Death now to them is no death; that which was their punishment as sinners is now their privilege as saints. That which stood among the threatenings of the law, and was the most formidable of them all, has not changed its place and is among the promises of the gospel. “All things are your, whether or life or death” (1 Corinthians 3:21-22). So precious an oil our apostle extracts from this slain scorpion; so sweet a honey comb he finds in this dead lion's breast, and give it into the hand of the saints, to eat it to their unspeakable joy and comfort.

- William Gurnall