Fear of death conquered

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15

Death. It’s an uncomfortable topic for most of us, and for many, it stirs unspeakable fear. For generations before Christ, death was an unpredictable tyrant lurking menacingly in the background of life, only to pounce, steal, kill, and destroy when least expected.

Folks have spoken of the “great unknown” of death; speculations abound concerning the experience awaiting the soul who enters through its gates. And yet the shadowy, mystical quality of death remains a fearful, morbid mystery to a large portion of mankind.

Many believers in our hour believe that we are in the generation that will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, thereby allowing a whole host of souls to evade death altogether (see 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). Nevertheless, you and I have flesh and blood bodies which are naturally fragile and will wear out over time. It is what it is.

For a large portion of history, Satan was captain over death; his fingerprints can still be found on the deaths of many as his stealing, killing, and destroying invades lives and families around the globe. But he didn’t count on one thing: that he would be rendered powerless through the death of the One he despised more than all other men. The devil never imagined that his murderous strategy against the Son of God would in reality strip him of the power to enslave men and women washed in the very blood he had worked so hard to spill. No longer would he be able to control or constrain those whose faith rested firmly in the One he had crucified. For them, the fear of death would cease as they entrusted their souls to the One who died for them.

Because the race of man lived out their lives in fragile flesh and blood, Jesus took on a vulnerable human body as well and entered the world to save men and women from its cruel taskmaster, the devil. While the Lord walked the earth, He faced every temptation and vulnerability that weighs upon the rest of us, yet He never sinned—not even once. And at the right time, He offered Himself as a spotless sacrifice, dying on the cross in our place, bearing our punishment. In this great, horrible, awesome act, Jesus not only opened the way for you and me to receive eternal life through faith in Him, but He also rendered the tyrant of death—the devil—absolutely powerless over all of us who put our trust in Christ.

Yes, believers die; nonetheless, even in death they overwhelmingly triumph. They simply step out of this life into eternal life; their last breath here is quickly followed by their first breath in the presence of God. For the woman or man who has walked with Jesus, death is but a transition; she steps out of her body in the same manner that she stepped out of her bathrobe or PJs every morning to dress for the day; he launches out of his body the same way he kicked off his dirty work clothes after a hard day’s work. He doesn’t mourn his sweaty pile of denim and tees; she doesn’t weep over her abandoned robe hanging in the closet; in the same way, the discarded body left behind is nothing to the child of God but a distant memory when they enter eternal life in the presence of the very One they lived to worship, serve, and adore.

Certainly death has a sting—but that sting is sin. And because of Jesus’ death—the death on the cross—your sins have been washed away. Therefore, you can count on it—for you, death will have no sting; for you, death will be swallowed up in victory. Your God, who has loved you with an everlasting love, will continue to be your God, never failing, never forsaking you, every day of your life. And when you step out of your body on that last day of this life, He will be right there with you, loving and guarding you all the way through.

And then…the real adventure begins!

Dorothy

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57