Can fire be put out by fire? Can darkness be illumined by darkness? Can evil be conquered by evil? Of course not.
Like cannot be destroyed by like, but only by its opposite. Fire is put out by water, darkness is dispersed by light, and evil is conquered by goodness.
Nevertheless, contradicting this pervasive law, Christ trampled down death by His own death.
“Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” Numbers 21:6-9
Just as the Israelites’ grumbling brought the snakes that but and killed, our sin brings death that kills the soul.
God has the answer. It seems strange that God’s answer to the seraph snakes killing the Israelites was a snake. Moses pounded out this bronze serpent and any who looked upon it were healed, they lived.
“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14-15
God again uses a strange way to break the death caused by our sin. Death.
“CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH BY DEATH, AND UPON THOSE IN THE TOMBS BESTOWING LIFE!”
Consider the amazing truth that one of the worst instruments of torture and death is now seen as one of the holiest of images on earth, it should be awe inspiring. Comprehending this fact should lead us to the realization that God can do anything and everything. God can use the worst and transform it into the best.
He can use death to defeat death, to bring forth life.
Fire doesn’t put out fire, darkness doesn’t illuminate darkness, but Jesus’ death defeats death.
Know that death is defeated by the cross. Don’t be hard-hearted and stubborn, look upon the crucifix and believe. Look at Jesus upon the cross and know the tomb is empty. The poison of sin is death, the ‘anti venom’ is the death of God. Look upon the cross and seek mercy.
Death is trampled and defeated.