Death Destroyed

 

We watch many television shows that depict justice for a crime or other evil activities. One series hasn’t reached the end where the culprit is found and justice is served. I find that unsettling and want to ‘read the last page’ and put the story to rest.

These stories involve death and the power of death is evident in the fear and anguish it causes. This week a family we know experienced a miscarriage. Even thought that child had not been born, its death caused a deep sorrow. Death is the final enemy, at least without Jesus it would be.

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)

Christ broke the one who held that power. Satan was not crushed, at least not then, but when Jesus conquered death, that rude enemy lost his great weapon. He still uses lies to mess with human minds, but Jesus exposes lies too. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) This means that He covers all that Satan throws at us. Jesus provides Himself as the way to God. He is truth that overcomes all Satan’s lies. And He is the life that beat death and removes our fear of it.

The Bible says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19) This is a sharp word to those who think that believing in God is all that is needed to enter heaven. It also shows that Satan knows about sin, punishment, and that all people without Christ will die and be out of God’s presence forever. He wants to deceive people about these things so they die without taking Christ’s offer of eternal life through faith. His lies include: “You are a good person and okay” and “God loves people too much to punish them” and “Death is the end, nothing after it.”

To remove the power of lies and death from Satan, God sent Christ into the world, declaring He is the way, the truth, the life. With faith in Him and His Word, the enemy’s weapons are useless.

Jesus proves it by His life, His words, how He takes care of His people, but mostly by conquering death. He boldly declared to His disciples:

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)

Death then is not an enemy. Instead, it is our final release from sin and battling the devil’s and ushering us into the presence of our Lord where we can say: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

PRAY: There are days, Lord, when the idea of death puts me into stress. I feel ‘not ready’ but not because my spiritual business is missing, but because I have so much that I’d like to do or get done before I go. That says something about my value system. Shed light or whatever is needed so the stress is gone.

PONDER: MacArthur suggested reading part of 1 Corinthians 15 to think about today. The last verse is light for me: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) Whatever gets done will have value. The rest does not matter.