Many years ago there was a coal miner in northeastern Pennsylvania whose job was to inspect the mine before the other miners came down. He would check the mine for deadly methane gas. Only after he had determined that the mine was safe would the other miners come down to begin their day’s work.

Jesus Christ has gone down into the depths of death and has announced to his followers that all is well. You can safely enter into the darkness and the unknown. It is safe because Jesus himself has checked it out. Death was not victorious over him; he was victorious over death. Jesus has overcome death, not only for himself, but for anyone who will put their trust in him.

“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?’

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 15:54-57