THROUGH DEATH HE DESTROYED DEATH!

THROUGH DEATH HE DESTROYED DEATH!

Heb 2:14-17

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;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

      There is a double fear of death. FIRST there is a natural fear shared by all of God’s creatures. It is instinctive, congenital and involuntary. The most noble of saints feel it but would tell us now that those fears were unjustified. The SECOND fear is a spiritual fear and is caused by mystery and uncertainty. What exactly is death? What is the nature of any life beyond? This is the bondage Jesus came to destroy.

      God, who is pure life, can’t die. Only in his humanity could Jesus be the bait and hook for the monster of death. In his human frailty he baited death but in his divinity he destroyed it. In order to bruise the serpent’s head it was necessary to endure the bruising of his own heal (Genesis 3:15).

      What we call Easter is the celebration of the victory of life over death – forgiveness over guilt. Because He lives we shall live also.

Rev 20:6

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Dear Lord, thank you for defeating death and giving me eternal life through the power of your resurrection. AMEN