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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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One Word Dying
from exhaustion, he fell before a stunned audience,
whispering only one word.
That single word was the last he ever spoke.
The breath that uttered it was the last he
took. What
message was so important that hills and valleys didn't
deter Phidippides that day in 490 B.C.?
Why did he wear himself out on the road from
Marathon to Sam
Dilbeck writes: "Phidippides sacrificed his life
to spread the word of VICTORY.
However, it was but ONE WIN in ONE
BATTLE in ONE WAR in ONE AGE.
Since his marathon, many wars have raged, with
no lasting peace.
Five hundred years later [after Phidippides'
marathon run], Jesus traversed the road to How is it that Jesus' DEATH provided VICTORY? Jesus' death on the cross provides: VICTORY OVER SIN. Our sin puts us at hostility with God (see Isaiah 59:1-2; James 4:4). However, Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross on our behalf. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness." By His stripes, WE can be healed, and forgiven (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus'
death on the cross also provides: VICTORY
OVER DEATH.
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection assures
us of our OWN resurrection at His second coming
(read 1 Corinthians 15).
Based upon this assurance, the Apostle Paul
writes of the hope of Christians: "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
Grave, where is your victory? '
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of
sin is the law. But
thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY
through our Lord Jesus Christ" YOU can share in this VICTORY over SIN and DEATH through YOUR FAITH – a faith that trusts God (Hebrews 11:6), repents of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confesses Christ (Romans 10:9-10), is baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and continues to follow God for the rest on one’s life (1 John 1:7). Are YOU sharing in Jesus' victory? David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood * From Sam Dilbeck. Note: The story of Phidippides may be the conglomeration of incidents in the lives of two historical figures: Phidippides and Eukles. However, the story above has persisted and is the basis for the modern-day marathon. To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
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