“…so that by the grace of death He might taste death for everyone” – Hebrews 2:9.

“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 those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” – Hebrews 2:14-15.

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him” – Colossians 2:15.

THE WORD TASTE uses the highest description of experience. One cannot appreciate a good claret of wine just by looking at it, despite the rich burgundy hue that appeals to our sight, neither can our ability to smell satisfy the senses, especially without taste buds. That is how wine is finally judged, even though all the other aspects are involved to a certain point, it is the tasting with our mouths that gives us the full experience.

When Christ tasted death for everyone, He drank the cup of God’s foaming wrath down to the very last dregs. He fully experienced the curse of death in every shape and form; He tasted the horrors of this destruction and decay to the last degree. Although crucified in utter weakness, nakedness and open shame before a mocking world, throughout the whole spiritual realm Christ exhibited a victorious display of Satan’s shameful defeat. In Christ’s greatest moment of weakness was the greatest moment of God’s power displayed.

What greater victory is there for someone who not only by the mercy of God dies our death, but also, while in the very throes of it, abolishes the power of it? It took the Son of God to taste death in order to destroy it. What a Brother we have Who was made like us in order to liberate us from the slavery we were born into and were to die unto. Now we live for and die unto Him, but our death in His name can only mean one thing: everlasting abundant life in the very presence of God.