What’s So Scary About Death?

“Since these children are people with physical bodies, Jesus himself became like them. He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil— and free those who were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.” - Hebrews 2:14-15

Being scared of dying can paralyze us from doing what we want or enjoy doing, what God called us to do, or just to live life. Dying is scary because since we have never died, we do not know what really happens to us after death. The Bible provides us with some hope, insights and peace about what happens to people when they die. For people who believe that Jesus died for their sins, they receive eternal life after death (John 3:16, John 5:24). For all others, they are condemned to eternal punishment (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 21:8).

Non-believers have a lot to be scared of after death. Their souls are separated from God with no second chances to be saved or to go to heaven. Death for non-believers will be scary because they will suffer never-ending pain that lasts forever (2 Thessalonians 1:9, Mark 9:48). Luke 16:22–23 describes a rich man that went to a place of torment after he died. He went there for not having faith in the Lord and refusing to believe in Him. This man showed he did not have true saving faith by his careless disregard for Lazarus, a beggar who laid at his gate.

Jesus freed us from the fear of death that used to enslave us. We were slaves to sin and death due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Lucky for us, Jesus’ obedience until death broke the devil’s power over death and the power it had in our lives. Now, what is so scary about death?

Prayer of the day:

Dear heavenly Father,

Death will happen. We are not exempt from it because of sin. Death is the result of our sin and if we do not believe that Jesus died for our sins, then we have a reason to fear death. Death is very scary and we pray for our friends, family and co-workers who do not know about Jesus, to accept Him as their Savior before it is too late, because they are never promised tomorrow. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!