ronscarpa Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Christmas Is for Freedom Our WORD for Saturday, 20 December 2014 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ( Hebrews 2:14–15) Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row. Christ did not risk death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came: not to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). No wonder Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross! The cross was Satan’s destruction. How did Jesus destroy him? The “power of death” is the ability to make death fearful. The “power of death” is the power that holds men in bondage through fear of death. It is the power to keep men in sin so that death comes as a horrid thing. But Jesus stripped Satan of this power. He disarmed him. He molded a breastplate of righteousness for us that makes us immune to the devil’s condemnation. By his death, Jesus wiped away all our sins. And a person without sin puts Satan out of business. His treason is aborted. His cosmic treachery is foiled. “His rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure.” The cross has run him through. And he will gasp his last before long. Christmas is for freedom. Freedom from the fear of death. Jesus took our nature in Bethlehem, to die our death in Jerusalem, that we might be fearless in our city. Yes, fearless. Because if the biggest threat to my joy is gone, then why should I fret over the little ones? How can you say (really!), “Well, I’m not afraid to die but I’m afraid to lose my job”? No. No. Think..! If death (I said, death!—no pulse, cold, gone!)—if death is no longer a fear, we’re free, really free. Free to take any risk under the sun for Christ and for love. No more bondage to anxiety. If the Son has set you free, you shall be free, indeed! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deborah Layne Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Amen!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie123 Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Excusa??? That made absolutely no sense to me. Could you use your own words to clarify Ron? Much appreciated in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie123 Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 PS. I am talking about the beginning of the post... Not the ending... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronscarpa Posted December 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 Excusa??? That made absolutely no sense to me. Could you use your own words to clarify Ron? Much appreciated in advance. PS. I am talking about the beginning of the post... Not the ending... Hi Maggie123....I'll try to answer your question by using the opening scripture: "Since therefore the children (thats Us) share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things (Jesus took our human nature - and lived, suffered and died for us - to redeem us from the curse of sin & death), that through (His) death He might destroy the one (satan) who has the power of death (because when mankind fell, physical death was the result - and we transferred dominion of the earth to satan), that is, the devil; and deliver all those (that's us - humankind) who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." (Hebrews 2:14–15) The commentary at the beginning was John Piper's way of bringing us to the latter part of the devotional which explains why we are free from the fear of death....because, Jesus has given us Eternal Life - which is far better than this temporal life with its strife and struggles because of sin & evil influences. I hope this and the red words answer the question you had. Blessings...RON 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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