Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.

What a shockingly marvelous statement! The first time I stumbled on it, I was totally amazed. I have attended funerals. I have heard enough sermons about heaven and all of that but the idea of how totally indestructible the believer is had not sunken in. No wonder then that when this idea is addressed by Paul in the New Testament he summarizes it:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory!” and repeats Hosea’s exclamation: “Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?” (See 1 Corinthians 15:54 – 55).

Death has been defanged, much like a snake deprived of its ability to spew venom that kills. How did this come about? Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He is risen from the dead and so will all who believe in him.  This is what Jesus explained to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25). It’s a win, win outcome! I’m not surprised that Jesus asked: “Do you believe this? Because he knows us so well! We say we know and we say we understand, but do we believe? I do. Hallelujah! What a rapturous thought! So it is possible to rejoice through the tears at the funeral for believers and break out in song: “It is well with my soul. It is well!”