Death Destroyed
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity, so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death Hebrews 2:14,15
Any New Testament reference to slavery would take the Jewish mind back to Egypt and God’s glorious exodus. This was pivotal to a Jew’s understanding of His God and who He is.
Israel had been enslaved to Pharaoh but God had dramatically intervened to save them. Now, the writer of Hebrews says God has intervened again, through His Son’s death, to save humanity from the greatest fear of all – the fear of death.
No matter what we’ve been in life, death reduces every human being to a common level. Fear of death remains the final fear. The devil knows this and does everything to amplify our anxiety.
God’s answer? The Son of God, Jesus, became a man, a flesh and blood human being. He lived a sinless life and died a death He never deserved. We deserved that death. He took our death upon Himself. Jesus died in our place.
But death could not hold Him. After three days, God, the Father, raised His Son to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. In like manner, the Father will raise all who trust in Christ.
This means death has lost its sting. Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection. Beyond death is new life for a Christian.
Death is not the end; it’s the beginning. Beyond the grave is unparalleled bliss in Christ’s presence. Listen to these amazing words from Jesus’ John 17 prayer: ‘Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me …’ (John 17:24)
Have you had a fear of death?
If you have, begin to meditate on what Christ promises after you leave this earth. Let hope and certainty replace fear and anxiety.
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