Born to Die for Freedom

John Piper writes:

If you don’t have time to read this now stick it in your Bible and use it for a morning meditation later on. Hebrews 2:14-15 is worth more than two minutes over an advent communion. These verses connect the beginning and the end of Jesus’ earthly life. They make clear why he came. They would be great to use with an unbelieving friend or family member to take them step by step through your Christian view of Christmas. It might go something like this… 

“Since then the children share in flesh and blood”

The term “children” is taken from the previous verse and refers to the spiritual offspring of Christ, the Messiah. (cf. Isaiah 8:18; 53:10). These are also the “children of God.” In other words, in sending Christ God has the salvation of his “children” specially in view. It is true that “God so loved the world, that he sent [Jesus].” But it is also true that God was especially “gathering the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52). God’s design was to offer Christ to the world, and to effect the salvation of his “children” (cf. 1 Timothy 4:10). You may experience adoption by receiving Christ (John 1:12). 

He Himself likewise also partook of the same [flesh and blood]

Christ existed before the incarnation. He was spirit. He was the eternal Word. He was with God and was God (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9). But he took on flesh and blood and clothed his deity with humanity. He became fully man and remained fully God. It is a great mystery in many ways. But it is at the heart of our faith and is what the Bible teaches. 

That through death

The reason he became man was to die. As God, he could not die for sinners. But as man he could. His aim was to die. Therefore he had to be born a man. He was born to die. Good Friday is the reason for Christmas. This is what needs to be said today about the meaning of Christmas. 

He might render powerless him who had the power of death

In dying Christ de-fanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin. This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before God. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect, it is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33)—On what grounds does he justify? Through the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9). Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If the death of Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon of the devil is taken out of his hand. He cannot make a case for our death penalty, because the Judge has acquitted us by the death of his Son! 

And might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

So we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the Now. If we do not need to fear our last and greatest enemy, death, then we do not need to fear anything. We can be free. Free for joy. Free for others. What a great Christmas present from God to us! And from us to the world!

HT: Desiring God