A little scared to death

Often, I find myself fearing death just a little. Especially when things are tough, like when the COVID-19 virus threatens humanity. When the economic markets fall more than minimal, there is always the idea 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 restlessness seizes 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 looking forward to seeing my grandchildren one day or am I simply 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 hold on death and set free all who cowered for life.

For a long time I wonder why I am a little afraid of dying.

It seems that the more I think about it, the calmer I become. 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 about it.

That made people fear death.

Fortunately, Jesus overturned this apple cart. He took out the proverbial sting of death by dying Himself on the cross. Fortunately, He did not remain in the realm of the dead, but made his way 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 has control over us. Death can no longer destroy us. Jesus set us free. He took away fear and instead brought us peace and joy.

So why am I still a little afraid of death?

Slowly I realize that I am not afraid of death, but of leaving everything familiar here on earth. I am afraid of the unknown. This is completely normal for humans.

We don’t like what is unfamiliar. We want to know exactly what the next step is like and that’s the problem with heaven: we don’t know what it is like and what it will be like and what is going to happen there.

Which is right. At least we don’t have to be afraid that eternal death will jump out at 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 believe that Jesus took the sting out of death?
How are you living the victory of Jesus?

Prayer
Jesus, thank you for taking the sting out of death. Thank you that it’s okay to be a little afraid of the unknown. Thank you for understanding. Amen.