Jesus Took Away Death
—Jesus gives eternal life
We continue our study of three things that Jesus took away. The third thing that Jesus took away is death.
1 Death Came Through Sin
Paul compares Adam with Christ as opposites. When Adam allowed sin to enter the world, he caused death to enter the world through sin. On the other hand, Christ brought grace into the world and life through grace (Romans 5:12-15,21)
Spiritual Death
The death that comes through sin is eternal and spiritual death. Paul told the Ephesians, "You were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,4-5), Obviously they were not physically dead.
Since "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1Corinthians 15:50) physical death is not such a great problem, and it is taken care of when we address the real issue, eternal life.
2 Jesus Abolished Death
Jesus "abolished death... and brought immortality to life" (2Timothy 1:10).
Jesus not only abolished spiritual and eternal death by taking our sins away through his death; he also conquered and abolished physical death through his resurrection.
In his own case, Jesus arose from the dead and ascended into heaven where he "ever lives" (Hebrews 7:25). Thus he demonstrates his power to conquer death for us. He became "the firstfruits of those who slept" (1Corinthians 15:20).
So Paul concludes, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law" (1Corinthians 15:56). Notice again how Paul links the three things, law, sin, and death. The next verse says, "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Corinthians 15:57). Christ sets us free from the law-sin-death tyranny.
3 Jesus Gives Eternal Life
Of course, when death is abolished, life is given back, and now has no predator, so life is everlasting. "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Jesus took away all sin, the old law, and death.