Fear

Fear

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, NIV

Sometimes we joke that we’d rather die than have a root canal. But the fear of death is a real fear that must be faced, sooner or later, by every human being. A mom reading this might have received news that one of her family members has only a few months to live. Another mom might have a child asking questions about death or may have just buried her own mother.

The author of the book of Hebrews wrote to people who were immobilized by their fear of death, and he encouraged them with some truths that encourage our hearts today. First of all, Jesus shared our humanity. We all connect back to Adam. But just as sin was brought into the world by Adam, righteousness came through Jesus Christ, who was born into our world as God’s Son. He experienced death and suffering too. And when we believe in Christ, he calls us his brothers and sisters!

Second, when Jesus died (with human flesh just like ours, nailed and bleeding on a cross), he called out to God, in faith, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46, NIV). The last words he spoke on earth were words of dependence, and those must be our thoughts and words also. Jesus needed to exercise faith in suffering too.

Finally, Jesus’ death on the cross destroyed the power of death, and his resurrection promised our union with him in eternal life! If we ponder the reality of these truths, our hearts will be encouraged.

Lord Jesus,

Thank you that you didn’t leave us on earth as orphans, but you died so we could have life. Even though our physical bodies will someday die, may we be encouraged that you shared our humanity and trusted God, and because of your resurrection, we will share in your eternal life! Amen.