"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. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
In our bible reading we started Hebrews yesterday and it doesn't take long for this awesome book to make you say AMEN or HALLELUJAH!! When I got to this section today, I just couldn't help but think about and be so grateful for our High Priest. I am so thankful that He took on flesh and blood. I am so thankful that He destroyed the power of death. Did you catch the part in vs 15 where the writer says that He has "deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
IN the U.S. last year we spent approximately $2.5 trillion on health care. It was about 17.5% of our GDP. Imagine that, roughly 1/6th of our economy dealt with health care. Around the world people will do whatever it takes to avoid death. Even religious skeptics become very scared when facing down death. Verse 15 is so rich in that it says plainly without saying it that without Christ we are subject to slavery to the dreadful master DEATH. Day in and day out people die. From the beginning of our existence here on earth we begin to die, even as we grow. Our cells form, function and die, constantly replaced by new cells. It wasn't supposed to be this way, you know, death. We were created to have eternal fellowship with the Father, yet sin entered into the world through Adam and with sin came death. As beings who became slaves to sin we came under the dominion of master death. Oh but Jesus!
He became like us, to save us. He died and took the wrath of God upon Himself so that we may be spared from that wrath. He came to save us from the wrath to come.
Without Christ:
- We are slaves to sin (Romans 6)
- We are dead (Romans 5)
- Under the curse of the Law (Romans 7)
- Under the wrath of God (John 3:36)
With Christ:
- We are slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18)
- We are alive to God (Romans 6:11)
- We are freed from the Law (Romans 8:2)
- Found favor with God (Romans 8:31-32)
As it says in Hebrews we are free from the fear of death. We are free from the fear of what may happen to us when we die. In fact many believers have died with great comfort and joy knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Stand in the victory that Christ gave us today!
Romans 8:35-39 says,
"35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
Praise Jesus for His sacrifice for us!