Jesus was not alone
On a hill outside Jerusalem, known as Golgotha, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. He was not the only troublemaker in Jerusalem on that spring day. Paul expresses a deep connection to this event. He explains that he was crucified alongside Christ. (Gal 2,19)...and emphasizes that this does not only apply to him. Addressing the Colossians, he says: "You have died with Christ, and he has freed you from the hands of the powers of this world." (Kol 2,20)Paul goes on to explain that we were buried and raised with Jesus: “For you were buried with him in baptism; and with him you were also raised through faith by the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Kolosser 2,12).
What is Paul referring to? All Christians are, consciously or unconsciously, connected to the cross of Christ. Were you present when Jesus was crucified? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Redeemer, the answer is: Yes, through faith you were. Although we were not alive at that time and could not have known, we were connected to Jesus. This may seem like a contradiction at first. What does it actually mean? We identify with Jesus and acknowledge him as our substitute. His death is the atonement for our sins. The story of Jesus is our story when we identify with the crucified Lord, accept him, and agree with him. Our lives become connected to his life, not only the glory of the resurrection but also the pain and suffering of his crucifixion. Can we accept this and be with Jesus in his death? Paul writes that if we affirm this, then we have been raised to a new life with Jesus: “Or don’t you know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?” For we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. (Römer 6,3-4).
New life
Why were we raised to a new life with Jesus? “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Kol 3,1).
Jesus lived a life of righteousness, and we too share in that life. We are certainly not perfect—not even gradually becoming perfect—but we are called to share in the new, overflowing life of Christ: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Joh 10,10).
When we identify with Jesus Christ, our lives belong to him: “For the love of Christ compels us, because we know that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2. Kor 5,14-15).
Just as Jesus is not alone, neither are we. Through faith, we identify with Jesus Christ; through faith, we are buried with him and share in his resurrection. His life is our life; we live in him, and he in us. Paul explained this process with these words: “I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2,19-20).
He is with us in our trials and in our successes because our lives belong to him. He shoulders the burden, he gets the recognition and we experience the joy of sharing our lives with him. Take up the cross, Jesus asked his disciples, and follow me. Identify yourself with Jesus. Allow the old life to die and the new life of Jesus to reign in your body. Let it happen through Jesus. Let Jesus live in you, he will give you eternal life!
by Joseph Tkack
More articles about crucified in Christ:
