Deliverance to Those Subject to Bondage Hebrews 2:15

Jesus, according to the writer of Hebrews, was made “partaker” “of flesh and blood” that he might “destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil”. In chapter two and verse fifteen of Hebrews we learn this was because Jesus was to “deliver them” “who were subject to bondage” where we read:

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

The verse begins, “And deliver them who through fear of death...” The writer began with the words, “And deliver them” which means “and remove, release, depart and set free the people” “who through fear” or “who by way of, with and by dread and that which strikes terror” “of death” which refers to “that separation whether natural or violent of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Jesus came to save people who were in “fear” of “death”.

The verse continues, “...were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” The writer added, “were all their lifetime” or “the total and whole time they breathe, are among the living, are fresh, active, powerful and efficacious” “subject” which means “in bondage, bound, under obligation and liable” “to bondage” or “slavery or living under the conditions of a slave”. Those who were not subject to Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers were all their lives “subject” to the “slavery” of “death”.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we may know people who “fear death” because for them, there is no hope for eternal life. These are the very ones Jesus Christ came, not only with which to identify, but also to “deliver” them from the “slavery” of that “fear”. Perhaps there are those reading these words who are afraid of “death”, and the idea of dying scares them constantly. If so, Jesus Christ came for people who are haunted by “fear”, and may the promise of Jesus' deliverance give hope and relief as faith is placed in Him and His words.

Next time we see the writer share how Jesus “took on him the seed of Abraham”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.