08/17/2025
Scripture teaches us that the wages of sin is death, but Jesus came to pay that price for us. Hebrews 2:17 specifically says He came “to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (ESV). The Greek word for “propitiation,” hilaskomai, means both “to make atonement” and “to show mercy.”
I love how we see this in Hebrews 2:14-15: “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” (ESV).
These words feel so very personal.
What grace and kindness — that Jesus came to free us both from the power of death and the fear of it. His resurrected body allows us to declare, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
This doesn't mean our hearts won’t ever experience deep grief or feel the pain of loss on this side of eternity. But it no longer holds the power to end your life. This is what Jesus has done: He has removed death’s sting. He has given us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Death isn’t the end. For those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives, death is but a passageway at God’s designated time for us to finally escape this broken world and be welcomed to the home we’ve been longing for our entire lives (Revelation 21:4).
I know how incredibly hard this can all be. But let’s hold on to the sweet knowledge that Jesus has already gone before us. We don’t have to be afraid.
And if you’re struggling with the piercing pain of deep grief right now? I’m so sorry, sweet friend. The reality of deep grief is that it takes time. It takes prayer. It takes wading through an ocean of tears to discover one day that the sun is still shining.
Give yourself grace for the journey, and keep clinging to the knowledge that God is near. Every one of His promises is true.
-Lysa TerKeurst
How does it help you to know that death isn’t the end of our story? What other truths from Scripture encourage your heart when it comes to this topic?