Hebrews 2:14-18 (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. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
The writer of Hebrews speaks to something many of us both wonder and fear - death. Jesus became human - the incarnation is that God was among us in Jesus. Among the things Jesus did for us in going to the cross is destroy the power of death - taking it from Satan who holds over our heads as a weapon, threatening us over and over with fear. Yet Jesus takes away that fear - he who died has been raised from the dead, and so shall we.
Aurelius Augustine was born in 345 in Roman North Africa, in what is today Algeria. His mother was a very devout Christian who had a significant influence on her son’s life. His father was a pagan of significant status in society.
At the age of 19, after reading Cicero, Augustine fell in love with philosophy. He pursued philosophy and the theology of the Manichaens, a Christian heretical sect, but he became disillusioned and restless for truth. He moved to Italy, and shortly before his 30th birthday, he encountered Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. Augustine was moved by Ambrose’s example and his inspired teaching and preaching of the gospel. At the age of 32 he gave his heart to Christ Jesus and was baptized by Ambrose during the Easter liturgy in 387.
Soon after he knew God was calling him to return home. Augustine returned to North Africa and formed a monastic community with a group of friends. He reluctantly became a bishop. He was a prolific writer and thinker. His numerous writings number into the hundreds. His autobiography, the Confessions, was considered the first Western autobiography. It was highly read among his contemporaries and has continued as a classic throughout the ages.
He is still considered to be one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. Many of the Reformation fathers consider him to be a father of Reformation teaching.
The Death of Death by Augustine
He died, but he vanquished death; in himself he put an end to what we feared; he took it upon himself and he vanquished it, as a mighty hunter he captured and slew the lion.
Where is death? Seek it in Christ, for it exists no longer; but it did exist and now it is dead. O life, O death of death! Be of good heart; it will die in us, also. What has taken place in our head will take place in his members; death will die in us also. But when? At the end of the world, at the resurrection of the dead in which we believe and concerning which we do not doubt.
[Sermon 233.3-4]
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