Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)
14 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, 15 and deliver
all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Solomon Rosenberg, his wife, his 2 sons, and his mother
and father were arrested and placed in a Nazi concentration camp during the
Holocaust of WWII. It was a labor camp and the rules were simple: "As long
as you can do your work, you are permitted to live. When you become too weak to
do your work, then you will be exterminated."
Rosenberg watched his mother and father being marched off
to their deaths when they became too weak to work. He knew that his youngest
son, David, would be next because David had always been a frail child.
Every evening when Rosenberg came back into the barracks
after his hours of labor, he would search for the faces of his family. When he
found them, they would huddle together, embrace one another, and thank God for
another day of life.
One day Rosenberg came back, but he didn’t see those
familiar faces. He finally discovered his oldest son, Joshua, in a corner,
huddled, weeping, and praying. He said, "Josh, tell me it’s not
true." Joshua turned and said, "It is true, Poppa. Today David was
not strong enough to do his work, so they came for him."
"But WHERE is your mother?" Asked Mr. Rosenberg.
"Oh Poppa," he exclaimed. "When they came
for David, he was afraid and he was crying. Momma said, ‘There is nothing to be
afraid of, David,’ . . . . And then she took his hand and went with him."
There are few things as strong as the love of a mother for
her children – a love so strong that it would choose to give up life so her
child can be comforted.
The love of Mrs. Rosenberg pictures the sacrificial love
Jesus has for US. In order to take away OUR fear of death, He went before us
(Hebrews 2:14-15). He met death "head on" – in fact, He died for us
so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life
(Ephesians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). Jesus was buried but emerged from the
grave victorious, so that WE might have hope in the Resurrection. "O
death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? Thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:55,
57).
The victory belongs to THOSE who submit their lives to
Christ: believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized
(immersed) for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Victory will continue
to be enjoyed by those who continue to follow Jesus faithfully for the rest of
their lives (1 John 1:7).
Will YOU “take His hand” and walk with Him?
Dear Lord, help us take Your hand and walk with You. But
not only that but share Your love with others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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