Easter Reveals Victory Over Death
EASTER REVEALS VICTORY OVER DEATH
One of the more influential pastors of the 20th century was Donald Grey Barnhouse. From 1927 until his death in 1960, he pastored the Tenth Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Dr. Barnhouse was well known across the nation because he pioneered preaching over the radio through a program called The Bible Study Hour which reached millions of homes each week. When his children were still young his wife Ruth died from cancer. While driving his children to the funeral a large 18-wheeler crossed in front of them at an intersection, and as it did it cast a shadow on their car. Barnhouse asked his children, “Would you rather be struck by the semi or the shadow?”
“The shadow, of course,” they replied.
“That’s what has happened to us,” said Barnhouse. “Mother’s dying is only the shadow of death. The lost sinner is struck by the semi of death.”
Believers in Christ have the assurance of knowing that the semi of death has been destroyed by his resurrection (Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:55). Those who believe in him will live although they die (John 11:25). Furthermore, we know that “if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1). These blessings are ours because Jesus has been raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20). Live each day in the victory Easter remembers.