Quest for Hope
Defeating Death 2-16-16
Hebrews 2:14-18
Yesterday, we read about how Jesus rescues us from our weaknesses (inclination to sin against God) for the purpose of restoration. In our quest for hope this morning, we are going to look at how Jesus defeated death. Death can be a frightening thing to even think about let alone imminently face. Jesus understands our fear.
In our passage this morning, “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:14-18).
Jesus—the Son of the Most High God—came to earth as a human being. He came and entered our human experience by becoming one of us. The only way Jesus could “know” (translates to speak of) our weaknesses is to have experienced the temptation and overcome them. It is the only way Jesus could represent our humanness before God; what it means to be human.
There is a penalty for humanity’s sin against God; it is death (Romans 6:23). Scripture teaches Jesus never sinned, but he so identified with our weaknesses he understood them from both a human and God perspective. With that knowledge, Jesus then offered himself as a sacrifice before God on our behalf; He died for us. Through his sacrifice he broke the power of death the devil—a fallen angel—had over us; we do not have to live in fear, anymore. If you experientially know Jesus, He represents you before God and brings to you the power to live through every ordeal of life including death. You have a moment-by-moment Savior in Christ. So, stay connected.
Prayer: Sweet Jesus—Son of Perfection—thank you for taking on human form so you could experience my death and teach me to really live in the abundance of your amazing Grace. I do not have to live afraid; my future is held by you. I’m listening and waiting for your Spirit of love to lead me; I am determined to enjoy this day because of what you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.