[14 ] 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, [15 ] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15
If you are in Christ you have been brought into a salvation through his life, death, and resurrection. This is the great news of the gospel. Jesus came to destroy death for us. This is indeed a great salvation.
Jesus saves us from the wrath to come. He saves us from tasting death. He brings us eternal life. He rescues to the uttermost. He destroys the one who has the power of death. But, he does even more than defeating death! Look at verse 15. Jesus goes beyond saving us from the event of death; he saves us also from the fear of death! If the only real power Satan has over the world after Jesus defeats him in death is to still bring the fear of death upon us, Jesus has squashed that as well! Jesus didn’t only save us from eternal death; he saved us even from the fear of death!
If this is true, and it is according to scripture, any fear we have of death is a sign that we are still living in slavery. It is not what Jesus wants for us. Through his death he has delivered us from the slavery of that fear of death. How did he do this?
On the cross Jesus took upon himself the full wrath of God for our sins. Every evil thought you’ve had, every bad deed you’ve done, every single sinful aspect of your being that you cannot even think of because of the sinful nature of who you are was atoned for on the cross of Christ. Those in Christ are fully and wholly righteous through Jesus. He is our great advocate. This means that we no longer have anything to fear in our death. Our death, because of the cross, is now an entry way into glory. We will for the first time see with unveiled eyes the glory of the Lord. Our joy will be complete.
If you are a believer of Christ and you live in fear of death, you can now be set free through the greatness of the cross of Christ. To fear death now would be to fear the consummation of marriage as your wedding night nears. It would be fear in vain.
Let the full glory of the cross fall on you. Fear not for Jesus has saved. We have such a great salvation!
Consider the greatness of Jesus. Fear the Lord alone. Come to Christ, trust in him, and leave the fear of death behind. To live is Christ and to die is gain! Let that ring true today and forever more in this life.