This is something that I have felt led to write about for some time. I am not sure why I put it off for so long but, I am thankful I did because even now the full realization of the topic eludes me. I am soaking it in little bit by little bit.
As Christians, we have been taught that Jesus is to be the example of how we are to live life. His love, His kindness, His compassion, His long-suffering, His benevolence, His passion, etc. are all qualities we are to strive to attain. It's a tall order for most of us, yet we are to continue to strive towards that end and to grow in Him. There is another aspect of His life that I want to point you to today - His death. If He is our example, then we too have to die. Romans 6:4 "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
I know it sounds like crazy talk but, remember what it says in Matthew 16:25, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Our death is a symbolic death... we must die to ourselves. Our old lives, the ones we knew prior to coming to know Jesus as our Savior must become a thing of the past. But, this is a process... let's look at how the process took place in the life and death of Jesus.
1. Jesus yielded to the will of the Father in His life. Luke 22:39 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
2. Jesus came to calvary beaten, scorned, shamed, naked, in agonizing pain, alone, burdened by sin, stripped of all worldly possessions, the list could go on.
3. Jesus died by giving up His Spirit. Luke 23:46 "Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last."
4. Jesus went directly into battle, entering hell and defeating satan. Matthew 12:40 "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
5. Jesus was resurrected. Luke 24:5-7 " And while their faces were bent down to the earth in fear, these said to them, Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, he has come back to life: have in mind what he said to you when he was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of man will be given up into the hands of evil-doers, and be put to death on the cross, and on the third day he will come back to life."
In Jesus resurrection and through His defeat of death and satan He traded in;
A broken body for one healed and whole
Shame for honor
Nakedness for being clothed in glory
Separation from God for communion and being one with the Father
The burden of sin for righteousness
Death for eternal life
Defeat for victory
Are you getting excited? He is our example... through our death to self and subsequent resurrection in Christ, He showed us that these things are ours for the taking. Many churches and preachers teach that healing is available, provision is available, favor is available, etc. But, this is way past something being available. This is not like a mint in a tray next to a cash register. Jesus said to follow Him, follow His example... this means that these things are not just available...we are to take them in order to be like Him!
I hope I made this clear but just want to say this one last thing, one more thing to ponder on...
The definition of Christian is, "a follower of Christ". If you claim to be a Christian, then you are a follower and you must follow Him all the way through His life, death, burial AND through the resurrection. Too many people are suffering because they stop at the dying to self. They stop at death. Life is not a race to see who can suffer the most for Christ. We are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) Grab hold of the resurrection.
