Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, [Jesus] 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)

What does Jesus accomplish through the sufferings He encountered in life and death?

The author of Hebrews answers that question in several ways in chapter 2:

• He pays the penalty for the sins of His people (Hebrews 2:9, 11, 12, 16);
• He becomes an example of faith in overcoming temptation;
• He becomes a merciful and faithful high priest who understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 2:18).

But in verses 14 and 15 we learn that Jesus’s death did something to the devil. The English Standard Version (quoted above) says He destroyed the devil through His death; the New American Standard says He rendered Satan powerless (as does the New International Version).

The Greek Verb can mean either “destroy” or “render powerless,” so context alone must determine the meaning.

Now, we know that in the end Satan will be thrown in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10); eventually he will be destroyed. But is Hebrews 2 speaking of that future destruction of Satan, or of something that has been done to him already?

Hebrews 2:15 tells us that the same act that has this impact on Satan delivers those who are slaves because of fear of death today. So it seems most likely that the impact on Satan referred to has already taken place; he is rendered powerless.

What is this fear, then? What is this slavery that results from fear of death – this fear that is taken away when Satan is rendered powerless?

Surely the fear of actual, physical death itself can enslave us. When we fear dying, we can become slaves to the quest for security and safety.

But another type of fear dominates many. Isaiah 22:12-13 help identify this fear, and to distinguish it from the fear of physical death:

In that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (Isaiah 22:12-13)

In Isaiah 22, God has threatened judgment against the nation, and has called for mourning over their sin. But the people don’t mourn – instead, faced with death, they have a big party! They think, “Hey, if we’re going to die tomorrow, we better live it up today!”

These people don’t fear physical death, the process of dying. Nor do they fear what happens to them after they die.

Instead they fear missing out on life. “If I die tomorrow, I’ll miss out on the pleasure of eating, drinking, and having sex, so I’d better indulge in all of them today!”

Some of you are old enough to remember the similar Schlitz beer tagline: “You only go around once in life: So grab all the gusto you can.”

This fear of missing out is a key dynamic in the lives of most people – and it manifests itself in many ways other than indulgence in physical pleasures.

Ask yourself: What is life?

Does life consist of thrills and pleasures and accomplishment and possessions and fame, however we get them? And so if we don’t have these, we don’t truly live?

If we think in this way, we are slaves:

• Slaves to our desires
• Slaves to the market
• Slaves to what others think of us.

This slavery will manifest itself in quite different ways: The person who fears physical death may become germophobic, isolated even when not under a stay-at-home order. But others in slavery to the fear of missing out on life will:

• go to bars every night looking for someone attractive to pick up, or
• spend hours watching internet videos every day trying to find the latest amusing, clever production, or
• exert huge amounts of energy on professional advancement.

Each of those can be symptomatic of slavery to the fear of missing out on life. And Satan uses this fear, in its many different manifestations, to enslave us.

Indeed, Satan tells each one of us: “If you follow Jesus, you will miss out on real life; you will miss out on what is most enjoyable, most fulfilling.”

That’s how he keeps us in slavery.

But what does Jesus say?

He tells us He alone is the source of abundant life, true life. He grants us true thrills, true pleasure, true security, and genuine accomplishment. As He says in Mark 8,

“Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

Jesus died to self all His life – and then clearly died to self in His death on the cross. Through that atoning death, He made it possible for us to find true life; in the example of His selfless life, He shows us how to live a truly abundant life.

• We need not fear missing out on life.
• We need not try to gain anyone’s approval.
• We need not struggle for security and satisfaction and honor and accomplishment.

Those in Christ are loved as part of His family. We are secure in that family, protected by Him. We accomplish His purposes through a life lived in dependence on Him. We trust His character, and have confidence God’s promises through Him never fail.

Friends, our brother Jesus frees us from the fear of missing out on life – the fear that Satan uses to enslave us.

But Jesus lived and died and rose again to help all the offspring of Abraham (Hebrews 2:16). You are among those offspring – if you believe that you deserve God’s wrath, but Jesus died to pay the penalty you deserve, and is today your Master and Treasure. Jesus has been made like you in every respect so that He might become your high priest:

• Merciful because He knows our need for mercy,
• A man full of faith because He knows our need for faith,
• Accomplishing God’s plan for His people, in part thru paying the penalty for their sins so that they can approach the Father boldly.

As your high priest He is well able to help you whenever and however you are tempted.

So don’t neglect such a great and true salvation. Escape from slavery to the fear of missing out on life. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus – and thereby lose false life to find the true, abundant life of following Him.

[This devotion is based on part of a sermon preached March 29, 2020. You can watch the entire service at this link. The sermon begins at 41:50; the section on this topic begins at 59:43. Ray Stedman’s sermon on this passage, which I first read about 35 years ago, was influential.]