Balancing life's greatest fear with life's greatest hope

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy 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.  Hebrews 2:14-15

Some things in life are frightening. My son, who is a rock climber, says that fear is not something you necessarily conquer but something you manage.

There is one experience in life, however, that some flirt with, that others consider an opponent to combat and that still others are held captive by. For others, facing it is as natural as seeing the first streaks of gray in their hair. They are the ones who manage their fear of it, and it brings a healthy appreciation of what life is about. What I am referring to is the experience that comes to everyone at the end of life – death.

Jesus Christ is the only one in all history who went one-on-one with death and came back to tell us about it. One of the New Testament writers said, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy 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” (Hebrews 2:14-5).

I’ve never had the experience that many have had when a doctor tries to explain that you have something wrong with you that can be terminal. Some panic. Others realize that everyone lives under the same umbrella. But the cross is what gives us hope that death is not the end, merely the transition into the very presence of God Himself.

Our focus should not be on the transition but on what lies on the other side. If you can live with that assurance, you can offset life’s greatest fear with life’s greatest hope.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. I Peter 5:6-10