The Mother of All Fears

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

My friend, in Christ you have been redeemed from all fears. You no longer need to live in fear of judgment, punishment, and condemnation from God for your sins. Because you are a believer in Jesus, the curse of the law and its ministry of death and condemnation no longer have a hold over you!

His Word victoriously proclaims that “Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified)” (Gal. 3:13 AMP). You have been redeemed!

Do you know what the mother of all fears is? Today’s scripture shows us that it is the fear of death. Why do believers come under the fear of death when they’ve been forgiven, justified, and redeemed?

It’s simple: when believers don’t believe that all their sins have been punished and forgiven through the death of Jesus Christ at the cross, their consciences are never at rest. As a result, the wages of sin, which is death, continues to oppress them and keep them under bondage.

But here’s the good news: God’s Word tells us that through His death, our Lord broke the power of death the devil had over us. Why did He do all this?

To “release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Clearly, our Lord Jesus wants us free from the fear of death and from any bondage.

Read Hebrews 2:15 again and you’ll see that the fear of death leads to other fears and bondages—“those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” People who fear death automatically fear falling sick, so they worry about their health all the time. Every little symptom causes them anxiety and keeps them running to doctors.

Many times the fear of death is the root of people’s fear of flying, driving, or simply going to the mall because they imagine the worst things happening to them. For some people, the fear of death is so severe that it interferes with their daily life. It consumes their thoughts and negatively affects the decisions they make.

If that’s you today, I encourage you to take the time to anchor yourself in the truth of Hebrews 2:14–15. Know beyond the shadow of any doubt that Jesus, through His death at the cross, has set you free from the fear of death, and with it every bondage you may be in right now.

Verse 15 shows us clearly that the moment the fear of death is removed from your heart, your bondage is removed. Your very susceptibility to being in bondage is removed. Hallelujah! Jesus died on the cross to set you free. The more you are established in this truth, the more you’ll experience the abundant life He came to give you.

This devotional is taken from the book Glorious Grace—100 Daily Readings from Grace Revolution.