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

God, in Jesus Christ, saved us from three kinds of death: spiritual, temporal, and eternal.

Spiritual death is this that the heart, departing from the Lord, is without true fear, love, and trust in God. All people are by nature spiritually dead. If Christ had not redeemed us from sin, we could never believe in Him for the remission of our sins. We could not truly fear, love, and trust in God. Hence, we would always remain in spiritual death. We received spiritual life when the Holy Spirit brought us to faith. This is the first resurrection.

Temporal death is the separation of body and soul. Unless Christ returns first, all people will suffer temporal death. Therefore, we experience a natural dread and horror of death. Because of the fear of death we are by nature, during our lifetime, subject to bondage. But Christ “destroyed him that hath the power of death”, and thereby delivered us from the “fear of death.” To a believer, temporal death is but a dark passageway which leads us into the beautiful mansions of heaven. Knowing this, we do not fear death. Death lost its sting.

Eternal death is the eternal separation of body and soul from the blissful presence of God. By faith in Christ we became children of God. We are heirs of God. Eternal death has no power over us. Because Christ redeemed us we shall have life and immortality.

Because of humankind’s sins, death and the devil had power over us. On our own we could not free ourselves. The Son of God became our champion against these dread enemies. When Christ took upon Himself our sins, the devil indeed “bruised His heel.” Christ died in our place. But, by His very death Jesus “bruised the head” of the devil. Jesus overpowered death and the devil. Jesus abolished death, and destroyed him that had the power of death. Though we pass through temporal death, as Christ did, we shall have the victory and enter heaven. As Christ was the first fruit of resurrection, so too will believers be raised from the dead to life everlasting with God in Heaven.

Praise You Lord, for this. Amen.