By Jeremy Writebol
Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:15, Mark 3:22-27, Hebrews 2:5-18, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 John 3:7-8, Revelation 12:10-12
Do you lay awake at night wondering when it will come? Is there anxiety within you as you try to sleep that causes you to wonder if this will be the day it finally arrives at your doorstep? Do you look over your shoulder every so often, nervous that it could be right behind you, ready to claim both body and soul and mark your time is up?
I’m speaking about the impending reality of death coming for every one of us. Of course, we don’t usually think too often about death; we don’t dwell on or try to imagine it coming due to the dread that falls over us when we consider our end. But the reality is there, nevertheless. Death is coming, and as much as we try to demonstrate courage, peace can be elusive at the thought.
Our readings today confront us with our great enemy, Satan, and his work, death. The peace and tranquility of innocence our first parents experienced in the garden of Eden was disrupted and lost by the deception of Satan. We’ve been in an anxious and disrupted world ever since. He acts as a “strong man” (Mark 3:27), bullying humanity around. He holds the “power of death” and keeps humanity in captivity as slaves, fearful of death (Hebrews 2:14–15). He is a bald-faced accuser of God’s people who won’t shut up with his lies. It’s no wonder peace is so elusive for us. We have a real enemy working to make sure we have no peace, threatening us with great loss and judgment in death.
Yet a season like Advent teaches us to anticipate, hope, and desire peace. Could there be a day when that old lizard Satan and his biting threats of death are put down once and for all? Yes, friends, yes, that day is coming! And the promise of Advent is that day is coming because the One to put down that slithering accuser has already come.
The Prince of Peace has come to bring peace to His family by entering the strong man’s house, binding him up, and plundering his house (Mark 3:22–27). The Prince of Peace has come to bring peace by crushing the head of the dragon, although He took a striking blow himself (Genesis 3:15). The Prince of Peace humbled Himself. He shared in our flesh and blood, even death, “so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). The Prince of Peace casts down the accuser of the brothers and sisters (Revelation 12:10) by coming “for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s works” (1John 3:8).
Peace may feel elusive, especially in light of the specter of death haunting us. But be of good courage. If Christ is yours, you have a faithful brother who has rendered toothless and weak our greatest enemy. He will come again and usher in His reign of peace and life for all who trust in Him.
Written by Jeremy Writebol
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