Heb_2:15
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage.
We are in
bondage to death. Bondage- a few
dictionary definitions are -
- Slavery - the condition of being enslaved.
- Restriction- the condition of being controlled by something that limits freedom.
The verse
above talks about delivering those who through FEAR OF DEATH are all their
lives subject to that FEAR, they are enslaved to that FEAR, they are controlled
by that FEAR of death knowing it is inevitable.
I want to
talk a little bit about the fear of death because yesterday I came closer to
that fear than I'd ever been before. I swallow a large vitamin pill the wrong
way and it was stuck in my throat and I truly thought I might die. As my son
rushed me to the ER, I kept saying and thinking, 'I DON'T WANT TO DIE.' Yes,
you might sit there all comfy with your non-pill stuck throat and think, well
if she can talk she's not choking. Wrong and right. I was as close as you can
come to choking without choking, a moment away from that pill possibly moving
and blocking off my air way as it lodged there in my throat with my throat
contraction over and over trying to dislodge it. The woman at the ER kindly
explained to me AFTER the drama, that they kept me sipping hot water and then
carbonated soda because 1- they keep that flap which decides which way to go-
food or air - open to the food side so there is less chance of it heading
towards the airway. And 2 - it helps
dissolve the pill. Of course they
monitored my oxygen the entire time too, just to be sure.
I was
TERRIFIED. As I entered the ER I
expected instant care in my terrified state but that's another story for
another time. I was terrified of dying. I felt as if I were on the edge of
cliff with a fraying rope ready to break at any moment. Fear of death was right
there! People say your life flashes before your eyes and maybe it does if
you're a little closer to death than I was, who knows. I do know I prayed not
to die, I prayed for God to help me. I thought about my family and not wanting
to leave them. I thought about my cousin, who was six months younger than me
who died tragically a few months ago. I asked God to use me for His purpose and
please keep me living. My mind kept shouting, I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
Fear of
death. Maybe that verse doesn't mean the
dramatic circumstance of possible imminent death, but the more broad sense of
our inescapable outcome of inevitable dying over all. We will all die. Unless our Savior returns
during our lifetime, we will all die. Death is possible for each of us at any
moment. We are subject to death, we are enslaved to death. The healthiest
person alive will still die from something. Our bodies no matter how well they
are kept up will wear out in time.
Heb
2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb
2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage.
We can
find deliverance from the permanence of death and this is our hope, yes? To be
one day resurrected by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I suppose,
and I could be very wrong, that having a terminal illness and slowly edging
closer and closer to death- feeling your body breaking down, has to be
terrifying as well. Does a reconciliation to death occur, a preparation as it
draws closer? Does the terror remain? Does that longing to live remain right to
the end, or is there a welcoming relief of being pain free, of struggling to
keep living? I suppose it varies individually, and situationally.
Jesus will
deliver us- people who truly are in bondage to the fear of death.
We are
temporary beings in our flesh and blood and the only way we will ever truly be
more than temporary beings is if we have faith in salvation through Jesus
Christ. Jesus was in fear of death…
Mar
14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death:
tarry ye here, and watch.
Mar
14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed
that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mar
14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take
away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Jesus did
NOT want to die. He knew what was coming, and He PRAYED to the Father to be
able to escape from what was to come. He didn't want to die! He resigned
Himself to God's will and the cup that lay before Him to drink- the cup that
meant His suffering and death, but He didn't want it. Jesus also was subject to that fear of death
we are all subject to, and His overcoming death is the hope we have to cling to
as we acknowledge death at any time during our own lives. Whether it is through
a sudden, unexpected fearful experience such as the one I had, or a knowledge
of death creeping over us slowly, we must have HOPE in Jesus Christ, that one
day DEATH WILL BE DESTROYED!
Heb_2:14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also
himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him
that had the power of death, that is, the devil
He has the
POWER to DESTROY the ONE WHO BROUGHT DEATH INTO OUR LIVES- the Devil!
1Co
15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co
15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co
15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the
law.
1Co
15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
1Co
15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord.
Death will
be swallowed up in victory, the victory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ!
All
praise, glory and honor unto our Savior, now and forever!!!!!!!
Thank you,
Lord, thank you, Father, and thank you Holy Spirit!
Thank you
for keeping me alive, and please, please use me for Your purposes whatever they
may be!
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