Even with the City in sight, one final passage remains. It is not bypassed. It is crossed.
The River of Death
The pilgrims come to the dark River of Death, and the crossing is not the same for each of them. Christian trembles and begins to sink in fear, overwhelmed by the thought of it. Hopeful steadies him with Christ’s promises, reminding him of what is true when feelings are loud.
At last, Christian finds peace, not because the river disappears, but because he remembers that Jesus has already conquered death. The waters are real, but so is the victory of the Saviour.
1 Corinthians 15:55,57 (KJV)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ’s victory removes death’s sting.