This verse is good news. Through His death, Jesus has destroyed the devil’s power “and deliver[ed] all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:15)
The world doesn’t like to talk about death. People ignore it, or make jokes about it, but we don’t want to face it. Covid-19 has forced people to face it, and there is a lot of fear.
But, the Christian believer is set free from the fear of death!
Death is a result of sin, but Jesus has removed sins by dying in our place. So we have peace with God and death then takes us into the presence of God.
Christ has died and made the way for us – so to go through death, we are following behind Him. He has made the way that takes us to heaven. We trust Him to take us through the valley of the shadow of death now to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 37.
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
So, now “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Death is no longer a curse, but a coming home: “we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Death is the crowning of victory: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Brothers and sisters, I need to ask you this question in love: are you enjoying this freedom that Jesus has won for you? Are you living free of the fear of death?
If you have truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, death cannot hurt you.
Spurgeon said: “There is no true deliverance from the fear of death except by looking to him whose death is the death of death.”
Have you looked to Him in faith?
If you have, but are still fearful, preach today’s scripture to yourself. Meditate on the other scriptures above. Praise the Lord for His victorious death.
“Death is crushed to death,
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.”
“What a love! What a cost!”
The best is yet to come 