Lenten Reflection #17: Jesus Destroys

Lenten Reflection #17: Jesus Destroys

“Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the Devil —” (Hebrews 2:14, HCSB)  

“The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works.” (1 John 3:8, HCSB)  

Two times in the New Testament it shows Jesus destroying someone. Jesus stated that He would destroy this Temple (referring to Himself) and then raise it back up in three days. The only other time that Jesus describes destroying someone other than Himself, it is these two passages. In both of these verses, Jesus says that He will destroy the Devil. So if Jesus is in the business of destroying anyone, it is Satan. Jesus does not destroy the Law. He doesn’t destroy His children. He doesn’t destroy the work of Creation. The only person Jesus will destroy is Satan. When Jesus died on the cross, Jesus destroyed Satan’s work – the control and power over death. When Jesus returns, He will destroy Satan Himself.