February 24th, 2026
Tuesday, February 24
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When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
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__________________________________________
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
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I have a song posted on my door. It’s Audrey Assad’s rendition of a poem by John Donne titled, “Death be Not Proud.” Allow me to share the lyric with you (the song is also in the Lent playlist):
Death, be not proud though the whole world fear you,
Mighty and dreadful you may seem
Death, be not proud for your pride has failed you
You will not kill me.
Though you may dwell in plague and poison,
You’re a slave to fate and desperate men;
So death if your sleep be the gates to heaven,
Why your confidence, when you will be no more?
You will be no more. Even death will die.
This song hits me every time I hear it. It’s haunting and moving. It brings tears, sadness, hope, and resilience all at once. The song addresses the fear and dread of death. But the song also talks back to death.
It reminds me of a song by the rock band P.O.D. called, “Boom.” Part of the lyric goes, “Is that all you got? I’ll take your best shot!”
I can’t wait to say that to death, darkness, and evil. We can actually say that now. Christ has conquered death. But it’s hard sometimes. Sometimes death and darkness suck the life right out of us. We need reminders.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians are another reminder. There will be a time when death will be swallowed up. Finally gone. Consumed by the life and light of Christ. Between then and now, we live in hope because Christ has been raised from death.
Here’s the thing. Lent reminds us that we will all die. Before we die, death is all around in many forms. But Christ has entered into our humanity and walked through death and darkness. He’s walked through the valley of the shadow of death and walked out. And because he knows the way, he still goes with us. Because he is with us we can say, death be not proud. You will be no more.
Paul says what he says to the Corinthians, not just to give them a future hope, but to change their living in the present life. In order to go with Christ through death, we must also go the way of Christ in this life: of humility, foolishness, not seeking our own self-preservation. If Christ has dismantled death, then there should be no obstacle to entrusting our lives to the foolish ways of Jesus now. We all are mortal. But God is remaking us in the image of Christ. Let us live, then, not pridefully, but humbly as people who have hope in the face of hopelessness, who believe that God is actually bringing about life in us now as we die to our old humanity.
Even death will die.
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Death, be not proud though the whole world fear you,
Mighty and dreadful you may seem
Death, be not proud for your pride has failed you
You will not kill me.
Though you may dwell in plague and poison,
You’re a slave to fate and desperate men;
So death if your sleep be the gates to heaven,
Why your confidence, when you will be no more?
You will be no more. Even death will die.
This song hits me every time I hear it. It’s haunting and moving. It brings tears, sadness, hope, and resilience all at once. The song addresses the fear and dread of death. But the song also talks back to death.
It reminds me of a song by the rock band P.O.D. called, “Boom.” Part of the lyric goes, “Is that all you got? I’ll take your best shot!”
I can’t wait to say that to death, darkness, and evil. We can actually say that now. Christ has conquered death. But it’s hard sometimes. Sometimes death and darkness suck the life right out of us. We need reminders.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians are another reminder. There will be a time when death will be swallowed up. Finally gone. Consumed by the life and light of Christ. Between then and now, we live in hope because Christ has been raised from death.
Here’s the thing. Lent reminds us that we will all die. Before we die, death is all around in many forms. But Christ has entered into our humanity and walked through death and darkness. He’s walked through the valley of the shadow of death and walked out. And because he knows the way, he still goes with us. Because he is with us we can say, death be not proud. You will be no more.
Paul says what he says to the Corinthians, not just to give them a future hope, but to change their living in the present life. In order to go with Christ through death, we must also go the way of Christ in this life: of humility, foolishness, not seeking our own self-preservation. If Christ has dismantled death, then there should be no obstacle to entrusting our lives to the foolish ways of Jesus now. We all are mortal. But God is remaking us in the image of Christ. Let us live, then, not pridefully, but humbly as people who have hope in the face of hopelessness, who believe that God is actually bringing about life in us now as we die to our old humanity.
Even death will die.
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For reflection:
Prayer:
God of hope, in Christ you have destroyed the power of death. Enable us to journey with Christ in this life now, so that we may follow him also through death. Amen.
- Listen to the song, “Death be Not Proud.” What does it stir up in you?
- Read 1 Corinthians 15. How do Paul’s words encourage you to “put on Christ” in daily life?
- For those with kids: Talk about how when Jesus died and was resurrected, it meant that death lost its power, like a great lion losing its teeth and claws. If this is true, does this change how they put their hope in God today?
Prayer:
God of hope, in Christ you have destroyed the power of death. Enable us to journey with Christ in this life now, so that we may follow him also through death. Amen.
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