I live a short distance from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. My husband and I flew through Reagan in mid-January. Two weeks later, on January 29, 2025, a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet–the latter was just minutes away from landing. The collision sent 67 souls into the icy waters of the Potomac River. No one survived. This horrific accident, so close to my home, reminded me of what is always true: Death can come at any time.
The Potomac River plane crash rattled the nation and captured our attention for weeks. The unforeseen nature of the incident stirred some anxieties about death. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “the inevitability of death itself fosters fear of death for human beings in both conscious and unconscious” ways. This anxiety can affect Christians and non-Christians alike. The same NIH study found that both religious and non-religious people fear death or the process of dying. Simply put, a faithful church-attending Christian can wake up to the news of a shocking disaster and suddenly find herself gripped by the fear of death.
How does our redemption in Christ speak to our fears at these moments? What does God’s abiding presence mean in moments of anxiety? Where is security in a world of unexpected calamity? Is there good news for brothers and sisters who fear death? We can find answers to these questions from Scripture–and some encouragement from a 1678 Christian classic.
There’s Firm Footing in the River of Death
The Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan, is a classic in English literature, remaining in print since its 1678 publication. It tells the allegorical tale of Christian, Bunyan’s main character, and his journey from the City of Destruction (this world) to the Celestial City (heaven). Perhaps the story withstands the test of time for its ability to speak to struggling yet persevering Christians of any period. One scene from this speaks to our fear of death—Christian’s trek through the River of Death.
Bunyan’s character faces many obstacles in his journey to the Celestial City. The River of Death, a body of water symbolizing physical death, is the final hurdle. Christian and his companion must wade these waters to reach their eternal home. Christian is told that this river will either be deep or shallow, depending on the traveler’s faith in the King of the Celestial City. So, according to Bunyan, death is like a river through which all must pass. Some will sink in turbulent waves. Others, clinging to Another, will stand firm. Bunyan’s allegory recalls the Red Sea in Exodus 14.
Two categories of people stepped into the Red Sea in Exodus 14. The first group (the Israelites), were sheltered by God and found solid footing. The second group (Pharaoh’s army), were hardened by unbelief and did what all dense things do in water—they sank. Bunyan alludes to the Red Sea to make this point: God walks with his people. They are never alone, even in death. Yes, death may come at any time. And we can’t predict the method our sovereign God might choose to take us home. But this one thing we know: God is with us. We are always sheltered by the Redeemer, who remains our firm foundation in life and in death.
John Bunyan was wise to equate death with water because the New Testament does the same.
Another Has Gone Before Us
Christian baptism in water is a sign of death and rebirth. The apostle Paul interprets Israel’s walk through the Red Sea as their baptism into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2). Christian baptism symbolizes our death with Christ and our resurrection to newness of life (Romans 6:4). Following Bunyan’s allegory, Christians cross the River of Death to enter eternal life. In other words, we can see a picture of all humanity at the Red Sea. Those in Christ die to live forever. The unbeliever dies only to die again.
I’m reminding myself of this truth as I hear reports of sudden catastrophes near and far. Everyone must tread the waters of death in the end. Still, whatever the circumstance, those united with Christ will find that Another has gone before them to grant life and peace. Christ, our Redeemer, died and rose to gain victory over death. In him, we die to trade mortality for immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53–57). And be assured of this truth: Your new life in Christ doesn’t begin in heaven—it’s at work within you now. The full experience of your redemption is ahead, and still right now you are redeemed!
Friend, anchor your faith to Christ amid your battles with fear. Jesus is our anchor in life and in death. This is good news for the Christian. And it’s the hope we offer to our unbelieving neighbors and friends in an anxious world. God’s abiding presence means comfort and peace in moments of anxiety. We rest in a sympathizing Redeemer who himself tasted death to purchase us life. His promises are unfailing. We have good news to share and to cling to.
You Are Redeemed
In You Are Redeemed, Nana Dolce takes women on a 40-day journey through the book of Exodus, helping them see how God, in his Word, draws near to make himself known. You will experience how the same God who lived among his people long ago is still present today—guiding, helping, listening, delivering, and redeeming.
