The festival of Easter for the Series B set of readings has these texts: Isaiah 25:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Mark 16:1-8. Chosen to preach on for Easter Sunday is Isaiah 25:8, “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken.”
Unlike the Gospel from Mark 16 which primarily details the historical events of that first Easter Sunday, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah speaks theologically as to the primary significance of the Resurrection event. Verse 8 of chapter 25 reveals that “He will swallow up death forever.” What does that mean? The word “swallow” in Hebrew is used to describe what the serpent rod of Moses and Aaron did to the magicians’ serpents in swallowing them. It is also used to describe Jonah being swallowed by a large fish that God had prepared. That is the literal use of the word. The figurative use of the word is used in numerous passages of God having His unfaithful people swallowed by the earth. In other words, the word “swallow” figuratively can be translated as “destroyed.”
But how is that helpful in regard to death being swallowed up? Does that not take place only after Judgment Day because until then both believers and unbelievers continue to experience death. Or do they? As with most theological words in the Bible, there is often more than one meaning. So also with “death.” On the one hand, it refers to that cessation of life here on earth. But in regard to the spiritual realm, it refers to separation from God. Hell is a living death.
The death that is swallowed up in victory took place at the cross with the words, “It is finished” and was certified by the Resurrection 3 days later. But how exactly is death swallowed up? Recall, that which truly separates us from God is not sin but the curse of the Law: “In the day you sin, death is the result.” That eternal separation that should have been ours was taken by our Substitute, the Christ Jesus with the words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” The answer is that Jesus carried on His cross the sins of the entire world.
The primary emphasis of theology for Easter is that the forgiveness of sins is provided by the Christ. What exactly is that forgiveness? It is the promise of God that He will no longer hold you accountable for your sins. Easter does not remove sins as it removes the curse of the Law from keeping us in bondage. We are now free! Free at last because He swallowed up death forever.
Name:Tom Baker