Text: Hebrews 2:10-15
Memory Verse: “And releases those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15).
For many, death is their greatest fear. One comedian once cleverlyremarked, “I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens!” But death is not something to joke away, the Bible rightly describes it as ‘the last enemy’, and the only way to overcome this last enemy is Jesus!
Jesus, by dying, was able to break the power of the devil, who had the power of death and, through His death, He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying’ (Hebrews 2:14&15 NLT). Until Jesus came, Satan used the threat of death and everyone lived in fear of it. But because of the resurrection, all Satan has left are the lies he can tell about death.
The word ‘destroy’ implies ‘to reduce to zero’, hence, by His death and resurrection, Jesus reduced Satan’s power to zero(1 John 3:8). And today, Jesus says to you, ‘…Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death’ (Revelation 1:17-18). After destroying the prison of death, Jesus came out and took the keys from Satan, the jailer. Then He went back to heaven.
When we lose our loved ones, we grieve, but we can handle the grief when we know that we will be reunited in heaven. So, even in physical death, we win, and Satan loses.
Prayer Points:
1. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the victory You have given me over death.
2. Every operation and activity of the spirit of death and fear in my life and that of my loved ones, are terminated today by the power of His Resurrection