While on a family vacation to Johnson’s Shut-Ins, my family took a little time to explore an old family cemetery on the state park grounds. We were amazed to find several markers bearing birth dates in the 1700s and death dates before the Civil War. 

With Halloween coming up, cemeteries and death are getting a lot of attention. The general idea behind much of the celebration seems to be, “If you can’t beat’em, join’em.” People know death is coming for each of us. We don’t like the idea, and somehow making a big joke out of death and the afterlife makes us feel a little more in control of the whole situation. But still, there’s a real fear behind the masks people wear — at Halloween and throughout their lives. 

As Christians, we should be on the lookout this time of year to share the good news — that no one need fear death anymore because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ defeated death when he rose from the grave. As the Lord told John in his revelation: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17, 18). 

“‘Where, O death, is your victory: Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 14:55-57. 

We couldn’t beat death, but we can join Him Who did. 

Your Turn: Do you have a favorite verse about our hope of eternal life?