LIBERATED FROM DEATH’S FEAR
Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of 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)
I’ll never forget visiting a friend in the hospital during their final days. Though they were a believer, the room felt heavy with that unspoken fear we all tried to avoid. That visit made me realize how many people live with a low-grade anxiety about death. It’s the ultimate unknown. We try to ignore it, make jokes about it, or distract ourselves from it, but it’s always there in the background. The Bible calls this a form of slavery.
The amazing truth is that Jesus came to break this slavery. He didn’t just come to teach us how to live. He became one of us, sharing in our flesh and blood so He could go through death Himself. But when He rose again, He shattered death's power forever. He proved that death is not the end. It’s a doorway.
Think of it like this. The devil used to hold the power of death like a prison warden holding keys. He could threaten and intimidate us with it. But Jesus took those keys away. Death has been defeated. For those who trust in Christ, death is no longer a punishment to be feared. It’s the beginning of eternal life with God.
This changes how we live right now. We don’t have to live in fear of sickness, aging or the unknown. We can face medical diagnoses with hope. We can grieve with real hope when loved ones who knew Jesus pass away. We’re free to live fully and boldly because we know how the story ends.
APPLICATION: What fears about death or suffering have been weighing on you? Bring them to Jesus today. Remind yourself that He has conquered death and holds the future in His hands.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for facing death for me and breaking its power. Help me to live free from the fear of death. Give me boldness to live fully for You today, trusting that You hold eternity in Your hands. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?