March 2
Crucifixion
I have been crucified with Christ and 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. ––Galatians 2:20
Crucifixion is one of those words whose meaning is unescapable. It’s harsh, brutal, and dark. The Passion of the Christ is not an easy film to watch, but it’s historically on point in regard to the methods and effects of crucifixion. During filming, Jim Caviezel—the actor who so brilliantly played Jesus—experienced the following calamities. He was:
- struck by lightning;
- hung on the cross in freezing temperatures and strong winds, which led to pneumonia and a lung infection;
- accidentally scourged during the flogging scene (which left a 14-inch scar on his back);
- suffered a dislocated shoulder while carrying the 150-pound cross.
Talk about a flesh-and-blood object lesson on what Jesus went through. But Caviezel has said that the experience only deepened his faith.
Man of God, this Christian life requires spiritual crucifixion. There’s no way to soft-pedal or candy coat that reality. As Paul tells us in today’s verse, when we are crucified with Christ, we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. And when we make an all-in decision to follow Jesus, the path takes us to our own Golgotha—a place where we must die to ourselves, our dreams, and our own desires.
Sounds intense … even radical, right? That’s because it is.
Accepting Him as your Lord and Savior is the first step. That’s salvation. After that, we must decide to be His disciple. And like Paul, it means being crucified with Christ so that “you” (old fleshly you) no longer lives, but Christ lives in you. Two separate decisions, brother. Praise God you made the first (salvation); now, have you made the second? If not, pray with me:
Father, I’m forever grateful for salvation. I can’t comprehend how wonderful heaven will be, but I am so thankful for eternal security. Today, Lord, I commit (or re-commit) my life to You “in full.” I ask that You continue to strip away all the aspects of the “old man” in me and create in me a new heart and mind fully submitted and surrendered to You. I want to be Your disciple, Lord, and I know that Your best awaits as I surrender more and more of myself to You. Amen!