One with Christ
June 27, 2017
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Romans 6: 1-11
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
“…if we have been united with him (Christ) in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (verse 5)
The blooms we enjoy in spring and summer are often the fruit of what has been sown in the dark days of autumn and winter. If you had never seen it happen, who among you would believe that a dry, dusty, dead-looking bulb would produce such a gorgeous plant in due course? But, first of all, it has to endure a dark, cold winter, buried deep in the earth. In the same way, there can be no resurrection without crucifixion – no life without death, no joy without pain. Whatever you are thinking or feeling right now, know for sure that Jesus Christ understands and comes alongside you to bring hope.
Prayer
Crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ,
I wait upon You in the gloom of this moment.
Come and show me Your hands and side,
Even as You showed them to “doubting” Thomas.
And, may I respond with the same great declaration of faith he did:
“My Lord and my God.”
In knowing You to be the conqueror of death and the giver of life,
I receive from Your nail-pierced hand the blessings of forgiveness, hope and love.
Help me to share the Good News with others, who feel abandoned,
And to honour You, now and always. Amen.
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