“Tell me I have led a good life…Tell me I’m a good man.” The gray-haired grandpa implores as he stands at a cross-shaped tombstone in Arlington National Cemetery. His visit here brought back memories of the six men who died during WWII so he could go home. With his family close behind, he wanted to know if he lived up to the sacrifice of these heroes. Though fictional, this final scene in Saving Private Ryan captures what the Bible calls “the fear of death.” 

This fear echoes throughout Ecclesiastes with the repeated refrain of ‘vanity’ for so many of life’s ambitions. You see, the fear of death works in two directions. Some might fear what comes after our last breath; others fear they may have wasted the years before. Thankfully, Jesus came to our rescue. 

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. (Hebrew 2:14-15) 

The book of Ecclesiastes should cause us to reflect on how we live our life. Are we chasing after the wind or living a life of God-centered joy? Are we receiving each day as a gift or focused on selfish pursuits? We are all guilty of wasting days with sinful passions, worrying about small stuff, laziness, or simply not appreciating the time given by God. 

And that is why I love Hebrews 2:15. There are two ways Jesus delivers us from the fear of death. One, He promises redemption so our next life will be better than anything we experience here. The thief on the cross trusted Jesus with his dying breath but was redeemed like all others who trust Jesus. 

Two, He brings purpose to all our circumstances. We measure our days based on our faithfulness to Him and His work through us. If you faithfully follow Jesus, He makes sure your life isn’t wasted whether you end up at the bottom or top of the corporate ladder, whether you retire early or work past 80, whether you travel the world or simply enjoy the area around you. 

“Tell me I have been faithful. Tell me I have lived for Jesus,” will be my plea when my hair is gray and days are few. And by God’s grace I will one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Live for Jesus, He promises you won’t regret it. 

By Philip Jones 

Philip and his wife Stacy have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.