I’m not ashamed to admit I have my fears about dying. When some church people brush that aside, I’m reminded of what 19th century theologian C.F.W. Walther wrote. “Many preachers picture the Christian as a person who does not fear death. That is a serious misrepresentation, because the great majority of Christians are afraid to die. If a Christian does not fear death and declares that he is ready to die at any time, God has bestowed a special grace upon him. Some have expressed this sentiment before their physician told them that they would not live another night, but after that they were seized with a terrible fear” (Law and Gospel, 313).
What fear has you in prison? Today’s “O Antiphon” prays Jesus to come and open the prison door. “O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel, You open and no one can shut, You shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.”
God promised to remove Shebna, a proud and self-serving government official in Jerusalem, and replace him with pious Eliakim. “I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open” (Isaiah 22:22). That prophecy looks ahead to Jesus. “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18).
Jesus invites you to come out of fear. “Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” (Revelation 3:8, 11).
“O come, Thou Key of David, come, / And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, / And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
(Lutheran Service Book, 357, 5)
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