Spiritual Strength For Each Day
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death…” (Hebrews 2:14).
This means nothing other than that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, made Himself one with death. He Himself wrestled with death—not the death that wanted to kill Him, but that dark, cruel power of death in itself. He eliminated it, overpowered it and extinguished it. Paul said, “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law”
(1 Corinthians 15:56). The law of God makes sin so terrible and accuses us, and the sting of death is the sin which separates us from God. And yet the apostle exclaims triumphantly, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). This is why Paul could also testify that death no longer meant death for him, “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). I am sure many of my readers will feel the same way, and yet there is this innate doubt, suppose it is not true after all? If you have such doubts in your heart, you should be ashamed of yourself, for the Lord Jesus has promised eternal life to all those who have genuinely repented, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
