Hebrews 2:14-15 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.
Jesus was made like his brothers in all things, except sin. Messiah, our elder brother, fully identifies with His children so that He might conquer the devil, overcome our fear of death and restore us to true life. He has succeeded. The obedience and suffering of Christ is our salvation.
The accuser is silenced, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33), death is befriended, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), and life is freely given, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
What is this “lifelong slavery” that the fear of death subjects us to? Satan forms our sin into a stick to mercilessly flay our consciences. We are guilty and we know it. Our life is forfeit due to our transgressions. Satan, our accuser, has a legitimate case and we know it. That cripples our walk through life. We live in the fear of a death that we so richly deserve.
Jesus has taken the stick out of the devil’s hands. Our sin is paid for. The accusations are answered in full. Life can now be lived without the ball and chain of guilt and shame.
Death is now a friend. How is that again? We are now delivered from the guilt and shame of sin but not from sin itself. Sin, our disobedience to the law of God, is a life sapper. Sin brings death; always. While we are still subject to sin and temptation, fullness of life is just out of reach. Death changes that. Death is a promotion. When we die, sin dies and we are beyond the reach of temptation. Death ushers us into life; real life; eternal life.
Actually, Jesus ushers us into life and he does so the moment we first believe. As his children we are no longer walking zombies living in the fear of death. We have life now. Life will become fuller, richer, in glory; but we walk in newness of life today. “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Yet, even Christians continue to be afraid of what comes next. Contributing to our fear of death is the unknown. Will I still be me? Does our conscious self continue after death? Yes. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Will we recognize and relate to other saints? Yes. “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). “And He (Jesus) was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him (Matthew 17:2-4). What will we be doing there? Working, resting, hearing, praising, reigning in the presence of Christ – seeing him as he is.
What will we be waiting for? The completion of salvation, the full restoration of life. We shall be body and soul on the new heavens and the new earth in the presence of God and the absence of sin forever.
Death need not be feared while we walk in newness of life. Death is conquered, life is freely given. We have passed from darkness into light, from death into life. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14). “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).
So, we have “Death in Adam, life in Christ” (Romans 5:12). “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him” (Colossians 2:14-15).
I have quoted the Scriptures profusely. Nearly half of this article is the Word of God. Why? First, because I am a divine plagiarist. I have no new wisdom or experience that did not come to me by the Word of God. Second, only God can answer the questions of sin and death. And he does answer them. Let us rest in them and rejoice. And live, now, the life of the world to come.