“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
Physical death is an equalizer because it is no respecter of persons. Death does not see age, gender, race, or faith. It cares not for money or status. It is merely a part of the current order of things. We live until we die. But the certainty of death does not make it a welcome or desirable reality.
Every day around the world, we fight to live. Some efforts are small: we maneuver carefully, take precautions, test for safety, warn of danger, follow exercise regimes, consider our diet, etc. Some efforts are extreme: amputations, transplants, experimental therapies, and more. And generally speaking, our life-saving efforts are appropriate. God has given us the gift of life; it would be foolish to treat it as trivial and inconsequential.
But what do we do when we feel death’s proximity increasing in our lives? Are we without recourse when accidents, disease, and calamity strike? As those who have been raised to a new life in Christ, can we face the end of our life or watch the life of someone we love ebb away with faith instead of fear?
Oh, dear friend, we cannot escape the sadness of loss, but we can indeed face our death or grieve our loved ones with hope as those who have already died with Christ and risen to a new life in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14, Romans 6:4-8).
When death stops being an inevitability and becomes your reality, you have a safe haven in your Lord Jesus Christ! Fear and sorrow cannot consume you when you are filled with Jesus, Your eternal Life. In your time of need, you can look to Jesus and find comfort in His Calvary love knowing that at the end of this life, you will not see death, but Christ, who is your life (John 8:51)!
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4