Day 30: Facing Death
Illustration
In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, we learn that one of Israel's greatest kings, David, was a shepherd before he became the King of Israel. One day, during those early shepherding years of his life, David was sent by his father to check on his brothers who were serving in Israel's army. And when David arrived at Israel's encampment, he saw a giant named Goliath mocking the armies of God. David was appalled at the giant's mockery of God, so David volunteered to fight the giant.
God had prepared David by having David fight and overcome a lion and a bear in his role as a shepherd. David’s battle with Goliath was short-lived because David knocked Goliath out with a single stone thrown from his slingshot. David then grabbed the giant's own weapon, a massive sword, and cut off Goliath’s head with it. With this single act of victory, David ended Goliath's life and empowered God's people to overcome their enemy, the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:51-53).
Similarly, Jesus, our Shepherd from Bethlehem, was sent by His Father on a mission of mercy to us, His brothers and sisters. While here, Jesus took Satan's own weapon, death, and used it to defeat Satan and remove Satan's power over us. Jesus' death on the cross set us free from the fear of death and empowered us with His eternal life. Jesus destroyed death; you are free from it (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus has given you His Spirit to be with you always to comfort and encourage you all the way to glory.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
The bee of death stung Jesus and died, so now death can never sting any believer. You have nothing to fear with death! Jesus died and rose again to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV) When we Christians depart this world, we leave as victors returning to our Lord and King (2 Corinthians 5:8, 1 Timothy 1:17).