What’s the greatest fear of your life?
I remember vividly as a kid that nothing terrified me more than the blood curdling laugh of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. That movie used to be televised once every year. My delighted family would gather around the TV and crank up the volume, while I sat trembling behind a closed bedroom door, literally covering my ears, repeating “la la la la” to avoid hearing that aweful, sinister laugh.
Eventually, I came to realize that she was fake and that the Wicked Witch of the West couldn’t touch me. That knowledge released me from my fear, and now ever since last year I don’t have to hide under my bed when the family watches it. Ok, it might have been sooner than that.
Kidding aside, there is an even greater fear which soon crept in as I got older. It’s a fear which is common to all mankind.
We don’t like to think about it, much less discuss it. When the subject is brought up, we would rather push it out of our minds or change the discussion.
Some are honest enough to admit that they are afraid of it, and some put up a front of bravado concerning it, but let’s be honest, nobody in their right mind wants to die. The truth is, when the lights go out and we lie our heads on our pillow, we all think about it. We know we are all heading toward our appointment with it. The fear of death is the king of terrors.
But this isn’t a fear that we outgrow as we age. Because we all have a desire or will to live, this fear enslaves men and women. How do I know this?
First of all because the Bible tells me so. Hebrews 2:15 says that all our lives we are held in slavery to the fear of dying.
Second, because I look around at what we do to safeguard our lives. People spend long hours exercising to keep their bodies in shape. We take care to make sure we are eating healthy foods. We are willing to pay astronomical prices for health care when we need it. We have sunblock to prevent cancer, we keep guns to protect ourselves at home, we have airbags in our cars, etc. The list goes on and on.
Admit it or not, nobody wants to die.
What if I told you that there was an answer to your greatest dilemma, the power of death? What if you could be free from your greatest fear?
Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. He paid for our sins at the cross and conquered death in His resurrection. Look what it says in Hebrews 2:14,15 “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.”
As they stood by the grave of a friend, Jesus said this, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26
It’s pretty simple, really. It all boils down to whether we believe Jesus is telling the truth, or not. I believe Him. Do you? If so, then let that knowledge release you today from living your life in fear. Jesus has overcome your greatest enemy. Come out from under the bed and live the life God gave you, for His will and honor.