Those in fear of death was who Christ took on the image of people that feared death and in bondage of death. Rome was also in bondage of death. Roman and Greek mythology include a place called hades/underworld. A place of torment did they feared, yet the Jewish nation had a fear of death too. Fear of not measuring up to God’s standards was the first concern and the second not having made enough atonement and/sacrifice for sin. A world in fear of death is a world that lived unto God not out of love but out of fear they would be tortured in the hereafter. Jesus came to take away the fear of the world. By walking among the people Jesus was known as being merciful, healer, judge of truth, story teller, and one the crowd followed until he was seized and then the people crucified him. There Christ died on a cross only to rise up again. To live beyond the torment of the price of sin. Jesus only paid for sin for three days. On the third day he resurrected. He only walked in hell to set the captives free. The only salvation was through faith believing God’s only begotten Son would save you from His wrath, if you believed.

When the fear of death is gone, then one no longer is fearful of God or going to God in prayer. It like a normal relationship with another person but with someone that can solves things no one else can. God desires our friendship. He desires to walk among his people, even down to discussing his plans with them as He did Abraham. Two types of people in Israel those that feared communication with God and those who walked and talked with God. Jesus came in human form to talk to the people, to demonstrate what it was like to live with Him. At the time the law of God was given in Exodus 20 the people feared the voice they heard from heaven. They feared what they could not see, but only hear. Even with God’s provision in the wilderness, people still feared God in the since of needing intercessor or high priest before them.

Think for a minute if God could not see everything and hear everything then would we have more to fear by the intercession of priest or leader in the human world? The answer is only if the priest did not like you, or was not merciful to your actions. Jesus sees all and knows all. He intercedes for the believer by saying forgive them Father for they know not what they do. If Christ still on the cross was able to say forgive, that was intercession for sin, after the people had nailed him to the cross. Moses intercession brought the wrath of Moses on the people. He interceded by coming off Mount Sinai and having those that worshipped Baal killed. Adam and Eve was cast out of heaven to face the punishment of death. Unless Christ returns we all face death, but were we go beyond death is either to be with God or the devil. Our choice being made on this side of eternity. We can either walk and talk with Savior that loves us who spent 40 days after his death and resurrection walking with disciples on the earth or we can feel the wrath of judgment for eternity. The New Jerusalem being like that time period after the resurrection. The image of Peter running from the boat when he recognized his Savior. The image of Jesus telling Peter to feed my sheep. All after Peter denial of being disciple of Jesus. Even when we live not up to who we ought to be as believers God has our back. He came back in the form of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live for Him, after his ascension into heaven. He came to enable us bring gifts to the believers of the ability to serve in faith and declare his goodness and mercy to all believers. To declare the believer had no need to fear Him, but to come as dear children. To turn from wickedness of sin. Those things harmful to ourselves and others. Jesus said all ye who are heavy laden come I will give you rest. The fear of death is gone when one receives Christ, because we believe the promise of eternal life with Him. Yet our works/actions are important part of our faith. It learning to lay aside the desire of sin and overcoming temptation, knowing our Lord to overcame temptation and knows how to help us during our hour of need, if one will ask for help, listen and obey.

Dear Heavenly Father forgive us of our sins knowing of your compassion and mercy, because of sin, in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: