“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” – Hebrews 2:14-15.
Fear of Death
I like to claim these verses as some of my favorite in all of scripture, and yet they are somewhat of an enigma to me. I believe the basic tenets represented in these two verses. Man’s frailty; Man’s bondage; Man’s impotency & dependency. Christ’s incarnation; Christ’s power over Satan, Christ’s death & resurrection and declaration of Victory over Satan. Last but not least, Man’s liberation because of Christ’s death!!
The enigma? Can we really be liberated from the fear of death? Isn’t the fear of death congenital, universal and permanent? From our first exposure to death we abhor it and want to avoid it. The fear of death is potent. What does man fear more? Satan recognizes this and uses this fear to intimidate and coerce mankind. Death is going to come naturally, but I don’t care to volunteer for it. This passage tells us that Satan uses the fear of death as a means to subject us to lifelong slavery! Fear may be a powerful emotion and motivator, but it is nothing compared to love. Especially perfect love.
Liberation from Fear
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” Because of His love for us, and our inability to save ourselves, Jesus became a man (partook in flesh and blood) and DIED to free us from the bondage of Satan. Although I don’t care to volunteer for death, Jesus did. He volunteered to die on the cross for us. His death was not only voluntary, it was vicarious.
Hebrews 2:17 goes on to say, “Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Propitiation for the sins of the people. That is the key. On the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Death is the consequence of sin. Because of Adam we are born into sin and all must die. But…..
The Death of Death
For the Child of God death is not the end, it is the doorway to eternity. The death of Jesus forever transformed the meaning of death. As one writer has said, “in death He became the death of death”. For those that put their Faith in Christ death no longer represents judgment, but rather blessing. Instead of bondage, it represents liberation. Standing at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:25-26) Jesus spoke these words, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
I do. I also believe Love is greater than fear and Eternal Life trumps death.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”. Psalm 116:15
When the Christian crosses the river of death he is ushered into the presence of his Heavenly Father.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:3-4
Until the former things have passed away live out your Faith without inhibition. You have been set free from Satan’s bondage, live and die like it!!