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13 And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.” 14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

 

I grew up attending a Lutheran church my entire life, so I am very familiar with the liturgy. Without a thought I can recite the words: “Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone...” I find reassurance in these words because I live on this side of the Cross. I get to live in salvation and an understanding that I have been freed from that sin that invades my life. And it is beautiful.

 

But I also know, like Paul writes in Romans 7, that I do not do the things my mind wants me to do but more than not I do the things my flesh wants me to do. Sin. But I love how in verse 15 Paul phrases it: held in slavery by the fear of death. Death is kind of unknown for we only die once physically. But death can also be known as the loss of life. And I know those two things, life and loss, very well. This makes sin a whole lot more understandable. We sin because we are afraid of losing out on aspects of life. Maybe it’s security, wealth, companionship, or love. Whatever that driver is, we desperately try to avoid loss because it is painful. This brings us into sin and breaks our relationships with God and others.

 

Fortunately for believers, we are led by Christ, the “pioneer of salvation”. Jesus forged us a path we could never fathom alone. A path full of everything in opposition to the fear of the loss of life. Through Christ, we are instead blessed with the fullness of life and provided all that we need. No more fear. No more death.

 

Chad Ryberg

Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer concern: Provisions for those in need