Often, I find myself fearing death just a little. Especially when the going gets tough, like when the COVID-19 virus threatens humanity. When economic markets fall lower than minimum, there is always the thought that this could be the end.
As I wonder about this, my phone keeps ringing and some of the messages are from people who are completely convinced that the end of the world has come.
And a feeling of unease takes over me.
So I have to do some introspection. Am I so tied to the world that I don’t want to leave? Am I enjoying life too much and yearning to see my grandchildren one day or am I just afraid of death?
I read the text and wonder where I am missing the point: fifteen By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s control over death and freed all who cower for life, terrified of death.
I wonder for a long time why I am a little afraid of dying.
It seems that the more I think about it, the calmer I feel. I realize that I am no longer afraid of what will happen to me after life on earth. Jesus took care of that.
We know that the wages of sin is hell. If you have sinned, there was only one way to go and that is straight to eternal damnation. It’s not a pretty prospect and it’s certainly not a good way to go.
That made people fear death.
Fortunately, Jesus turned this apple cart around. He drew the proverbial sting of death by dying himself on the cross. Fortunately, he did not remain in the realm of the dead, but instead went through death. He conquered death and by doing this, he broke the power that death had over people. He cut the chains that bound people.
Eternal damnation no longer dominates us. Death can no longer destroy us. Jesus freed us. It removed fear and instead brought us peace and joy.
So why am I still a little scared of death?
Little by little I realize that I am not afraid of death, but of leaving everything that is familiar to me here on earth. I am afraid of the unknown. This is completely normal for humans.
We don’t like the unknown. We want to know exactly what the next step is like and that is the problem with heaven: we do not know what it looks like and we will see each other and what will happen there.
Which is right. At least we shouldn’t be afraid of eternal death jumping on us from behind the next bush. Thank God, Jesus took care of that!
Holy Scripture
Hebrews 2: 14-18
Reflection
Are you also a little afraid of death?
Do you think Jesus drew the sting of death?
How are you living the victory of Jesus?
Pray
Jesus, thank you for taking out the sting of death. Thanks that it’s okay to be a little scared of the unknown. Thank you for understanding. Amen.
