God’s faithful no longer fear death as much as we used to.
Ever since our Lord Jesus went to the cross and pulled its fangs, descended into grave and recovered the keys, then rose from the tomb as the first fruits of eternal life, the poor ogre has lost his threat.
He still growls but all his rantings are just so much bumping his gums.
Maybe we ought to pity death.
Like a honeybee that has lost its stinger but is still flying around scaring people, death can no longer do any kind of significant damage to all who are in Jesus Christ.
No more fear, Christian. It’s all gone.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Cor. 15:55)
Hebrews 2:14 puts this in an unforgettable way: He Himself partook of (flesh and blood) that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to bondage all their lives.
Defeat the devil, deliver the hostages.
Big task. Great victory. Huge celebration–one that’s still going on.