The Last Enemy to be Destroyed is Death

This meditation is based on a passage for April 6, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Reflection and Question: Those of you who are Harry Potter aficionados like me will recognize that J.K. Rowling gives special place in her story to verse 26. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” is written on the tomb of Harry’s parents in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (p. 328). The wrong way to take this is the way that Voldemort does, that death is a fearsome thing to be avoided at all costs. Paul and Rowling, mean something far different. Hermione says gently to Harry, “It means. . . .living beyond death. Living after death.” And Paul is clear that Christ has overcome death, going before each of us to eternal life, and so ending our fear of death. How do you approach death?

Prayer: You are the Christ, going before us through death to life eternal. We follow Paul’s logic here and believe, as You were raised from death to life, so shall we be lifted up. Dispel our fear of death so that all our energy may serve You in this world. Amen.