" . . . And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead" (

The 'firstborn' is a position of privilege and preeminence in Scripture. To be 'firstborn' among the deceased would seem a dubious honor. But Jesus is firstborn from the dead. That is to say; he is pioneer and leader of a humanity that has experienced death--and overcome it. Such is the note of defiance and victory that shapes the Christian life. The worst threat has been de-fanged. Hope reigns supreme!