The Sting of Death

Paul gives death a characteristic in 1st Corinthians 15:55 when he says “Where, death, is your sting?” If you think about a sting, it is a little bit different then other forms of pain. It often catches you by surprise, it seems unexpected and the pain is sharper more intense than that of a dull ache. It seems to go just beyond one’s threshold of pain and can even leave you unable to breath.

I remember when I started fourth grade my teacher on the first day of school asked the class who would like to get swats, just to experience a taste of what would happen if we messed up later. I along with a few other boys saw our opportunity to show the girls just how tough we were. We eagerly raised our hands to volunteer for our moment of bravery.

One by one we went to the front of the class and took hold of the edge of the teachers desk, our backs to the class. We each got three licks and when it was my turn I winced in anticipation of what was to come. When the final lick left it’s loud crack on my behind I wasn’t a tough guy anymore. I had felt the sting of the almighty paddle. It hurt way more than I expected it to. I turned to face the class and walked back to my desk, my lip quivered as I fought back the tears of pain. No wonder Paul referred to death in the context of a sting. It hurts deeper and more intense then any other pain we could ever feel. Our comfort in times of such grief can only be found in God.

1st Corinthians 15:53-55 says “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?””