Fearing Death
Death. It's a topic we often avoid, push to the back of our minds, or distract ourselves from with the busyness of life. Yet, in recent years, global events have thrust our mortality into the spotlight, forcing us to confront an uncomfortable truth: we all have an expiration date.
But should we be scared of death? It's a question that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time. Some argue that death is simply a natural part of life, nothing to fear. Others claim everyone goes to a "better place." Still others suggest we should fear death because of our misdeeds. However, these responses fall short of addressing the deep-seated anxiety many of us feel when confronting our mortality.
The Bible offers a different perspective, one that promises freedom from the slavery of fearing death. In Hebrews 2:14-15, we read:
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
This passage reveals three profound truths that can transform our relationship with death:
1. Jesus Relates to Us
The incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ—means that Jesus understands our fears and anxieties intimately. He's not a distant deity, unmoved by our struggles. Instead, He chose to share in our humanity, experiencing the full range of human emotions and experiences, including the fear of death.
Remember the story of Lazarus? When Jesus arrived at his friend's tomb, He wept. Even knowing He would soon raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus shared in the grief of those mourning. This shows us a God who doesn't stand aloof from our pain but enters into it with us.
Jesus also experienced the anxiety of impending death. In the Garden of Gethsemane, His anguish was so intense that He sweat drops of blood. He understands not just the fear of what comes after death, but the very human fear of the dying process itself.
2. Jesus Broke the Power of the Enemy
The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus didn't just relate to us—He came to rescue us. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what we might call a spiritual Emancipation Proclamation. Just as Lincoln's proclamation in 1863 declared the end of slavery in America, Jesus' work on the cross declared the end of our slavery to the fear of death.
Picture it this way: Satan, described in Scripture as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, once had sharp fangs and claws that could destroy us. But through His sacrifice, Jesus has removed those fangs and claws. The enemy still exists, still prowls, still seeks to intimidate—but he can no longer truly harm those who are in Christ.
This is why the Apostle Paul could boldly declare, "O death, where is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55). For those who trust in Christ, death has lost its power to terrify. Instead, it becomes a doorway to something far greater. As Paul says, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
The Psalmist gives us a glimpse of what awaits us: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). Death for the believer isn't an end, but a beginning—the start of an eternity experiencing the fullness of joy and pleasure in God's presence.
3. Jesus Gave Us a Glimpse of What's to Come
Some might fear that eternity with God will be boring—endless clouds, harps, and chubby cherubs. But the biblical picture of eternity is far richer and more exciting than that.
Jesus' resurrection wasn't just a personal victory; it was the "firstfruits" of a coming resurrection for all who believe in Him. The Bible speaks of a new heaven and new earth, where God's people will live in resurrected bodies. This isn't a disembodied, ghostly existence, but a physical reality even more vibrant and real than our current world.
Imagine a world without sin, suffering, or death. A world where we enjoy deep relationships, meaningful work, and unhindered communion with God. This is the Christian hope—not just survival beyond death, but a thriving, eternal life in God's renewed creation.
Living in Light of Eternity
Understanding these truths should radically change how we live now. Throughout history, Christians who grasped these realities have been known for their courage in the face of death. They've risked their lives to serve others during plagues, faced martyrdom with songs on their lips, and lived with an intensity and purpose that confused their contemporaries.
Some ancient Christian monks kept skulls on their desks as a reminder of their mortality. The great preacher Jonathan Edwards resolved to think about his own death regularly. Why? Not out of morbid fascination, but because keeping our mortality in mind helps us live with greater intentionality and focus on what truly matters.
If we're afraid to die, we never really live. But if we trust in Christ, we can face death without fear and truly live life to the fullest.
So, should we be scared of death? Jesus gives us the answer: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). For those who have placed their faith in Christ, death has lost its sting. We can face it not with fear, but with the confident hope of eternal life in God's presence.
If you've never considered this hope before, or if you're unsure of where you stand with God, today could be the day everything changes. Recognize that you're a sinner in need of God's grace. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again, conquering death. Turn from your old life and place your trust in Him. In doing so, you'll find not just freedom from the fear of death, but the promise of life eternal.
In a world still gripped by the fear of death, we have the opportunity to live and die differently. Let's embrace the freedom Christ offers, living each day with purpose, love, and the unshakeable hope of eternity with our Creator.
This article used generative AI via Pulpit AI to transform one of Chris' sermons into this article. The content is original to CDM, with some help from Pulpit AI adapting it into article form.