My pastor (check out his blog here) has been sending those in our church these daily advent readings from John Piper. Thus far, they have been great! But I thought today's was especially good in light of what God has been teaching me lately. I hope you are as blessed as I was!
Wednesday, December 19
CHRISTMAS IS FOR FREEDOM
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 to 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, “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!
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