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.

Hebrews 2:14-15

Death is a paralyzing thought. We all do our best to cope with it. We avoid thinking about it. We convince ourselves that it’s a far away moment. We push that thought down deep and say a prayer that we don’t have to deal with it any time soon.

But, despite our best attempts to compartmentalize, death can be thrust into our minds like the unavoidable scream of a fire alarm. We read a news article about a tragic event. We have a family member diagnosed with a threatening illness. We watch a movie that hits a little too close to home. Then, in moments of sober clarity, the reality of death hits us like a ton of bricks.

So, it’s easy to understand when the author of Hebrews describes fear of death as a “lifelong slavery”. It’s like death is a monster that has captured us in his cage. He just sits there taunting us. He knows he has the upper-hand. He knows we’re cornered.

Enter Jesus, our deliverer. He came to deliver us from both the “power of death” and the “fear of death”. Look again at those two phrases in the passage. Jesus destroys the devil who holds the power of death and his delivers us from the fear of death. How? He accomplishes this work through his own death and resurrection.

Jesus is the Savior. He is the superhero who does what we can’t do on our own. He dies on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins–which is death. Then, he overcomes death through glorious, bodily resurrection. He now holds the keys to eternal life and stands ready to help us escape the “lifelong slavery” we’ve been experiencing. No longer do we need to be afraid of death and stuck in the cage.

Are you afraid of death? I get it. It’s heavy. But, we don’t have to be stuck and buried under that fear. Place your faith in Jesus. Trust in his deliverance and promises. Trust that death won’t have the final word. God’s grace has and will triumph over death. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Jesus Christ!