Thanks for joining me again today on our journey through Advent—these days of anticipation and preparation as we get closer to celebrating the birth of Jesus. Advent simply means “coming” or “arrival,” and it’s a time when we remember not only that Jesus came to us in the past, but that He’s coming again.
Today’s verse, Hebrews 2:14, gives us one of the most powerful reasons why Jesus came: He shared in our flesh and blood so that through His death, He could defeat the one who holds the power of death—the devil.
Jesus didn’t stay distant. He didn’t help us from afar. He stepped right into our human story—flesh and blood, joys and sorrows, laughter and tears. Why? Because to defeat death, He had to face it. To break the chains of fear, He had to feel their weight. He entered our world so He could rescue us from the inside out.
Let that sink in: the eternal Son of God allowed Himself to be fragile, killable—even to die—so that death itself would lose its power over us. The devil’s greatest threat—death—has been disarmed by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.
So what does that mean for us?
It means we don’t have to live in fear of death, loss, or the unknown. Yes, we still grieve. We hurt. We face moments of anxiety about the future. But because Jesus has defeated the last enemy, we don’t face those fears alone, and they don’t get the final word.
If you’ve lost someone this year… if you’re wrestling with sickness, or just overwhelmed by a world that feels dark and uncertain… hear this: Jesus has already walked through the valley of death, and He came out the other side victorious. And He promises to walk with you, too.
So today’s invitation is simple: Face your fears—not with denial, but with confidence. Confidence that Christ has conquered death. Confidence that your life is secure in Him. And confidence that the One who came in flesh and blood still holds you in His hands.
As we close, if you’ve missed any of the devotionals leading up to today, or if you want to go back and reflect on earlier days, head over to johnmarkharris.net. All the previous Advent devotionals are posted there for you to revisit or share with someone who needs encouragement.
Thanks for spending these moments with me today. I’m Pastor John Harris—keep your eyes on Jesus, and let His victory over death fill you with hope.
