Hebrews 2

Heb 2:14-15 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. (ESV)

The deliverance we have in Christ is so much greater than the deliverance Israel experienced under Moses it is like comparing a cluster of grapes with a single raisin. Moses deliverance led the people out of slavery in Egypt. Jesus deliverance leads us out of slavery to sin. Moses deliverance led the people into a lifetime of freedom. Jesus deliverance leads us into an eternity of freedom. Moses deliverance led the people away from the fearful Egyptians although they were to repeatedly encounter other fearful people. Jesus deliverance leads us away from the fear of death.

There are many things people fear. We fear failure. We fear looking bad in front of others. We fear rejection. We fear physical and emotional harm. We fear pain and discomfort. Ultimately we fear death.  But... Jesus deliverance is an exodus from those things which cause us fear. "Perfect love casts out fear" 1 John 4:18 says, speaking of our love for God and God's love for us. Hebrews 2 reminds us that we lived in a lifetime fear of death, but that we have been delivered from that fear through Jesus death and resurrection.

Death is not a good thing. People were not designed nor created to die. Death is the consequence of mankind's sin. Because of our rejection of God's authority death has filled this earth. It is rightly horrendous to us. But the deliverance of Jesus, offered us by grace through faith on the basis of Jesus own death, brings us to a point of peace with death because death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:56). In Christ there is more to life than just this life. We live in that hope and expectation.

Father, I confess that sometimes this life with it's fears and anxieties fill my vision and I lose sight of eternity. Today may I walk in the peace of your deliverance whatever I face in this life. Thank you that my life goes beyond this life.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert