It’s a topic that’s easier to counsel somebody else about than it is to face ourselves. Part of the fear of death concerns how we will die. Will it be by a traffic accident, violence, or just “natural causes”? Will it be painful? The spotlight fades out on even the most popular film stars and music icons as they get older. The news doesn’t much document what happens to them after that.
The main reason for fear of death, though, concerns what happens after death. It seems that even people who insist that death is the end are not as sure when their own time to die comes near.
Jesus talked about His own death before it happened. He told His disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22). He knew how He was going to die, and He knew what would happen afterward.
In fact, Jesus said that this must happen. Why? The Bible explains it in one long sentence:
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)
The Son of God came in flesh and blood to die a death that was designed to take all of the consequences of our sins on Himself so that we would not have to fear death anymore. We may still be apprehensive about how we will die, but He made a way for us not to fear consequences for our sins after we die. He rose to life again the third day, proving that His death was finished and that it had completed God’s design. The price to set us free from death was paid.
Our response is the key to not fearing death anymore.
Most people have heard the verse, but making it personal makes the difference:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.