March 18, 2009

Romans 6:1-11

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive in Christ Jesus.

As you are reading this I would like you take a moment to close your eyes and envision Christ hanging on the cross. Pay attention to what you see and feel.  What thoughts race through your minds when you envision him hanging there?

Now close your eyes and try to envision him in the glory of resurrection.  It's not so easy, is it?

For me at least, it is much easier to envision the beaten and dying Christ, than to picture the one that stands triumphant over sin and death. Why?

In Romans, Paul describes us as being enslaved to sin/. We are not enslaved willfully but are rather kept prisoner by it.

But Christ has come as our great emancipator and we are now allowed to leave the dark cells of our hearts and to roam with him in the beauty of his glory.

My friends, this Lenten season let us seek not to focus on the Christ of the crucifixion, for that battle is already won. But let us focus on the Christ of resurrection and new life, for we do not worship a God of death and despair, but one of life and joy!

God of Love, help us to envision your resurrection in our lives and in the lives of others. You hung on the cross for six hours, Lord, but you have now been resurrected for eternity. Lord, help us to be an Easter people. In you most precious and holy name, Amen.

Andy Lemlyn, Junior
 

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