The Significance of the Resurrection (a mini meditation)

“ ³ Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him.

¹⁰ For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he lives, he lives to God.

¹¹ Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(Romans 6:3-11)

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I invite you to take a few moments to consider a few details from these verses regarding the sufficiency and potency of Jesus’ completed sacrifice.

First, consider the individual nature implied here. The sacrifice of Jesus is not merely corporate, but it is personal! It’s expected for each of us to contemplate how the gift of Jesus impacts our lives personally each day.

In verse 4, we see that in the same way as our old self died with Christ on the cross, so too does our new self raise with Him in life.

As verse 6 declares, we are called to know this truth of how Jesus’s death and resurrection have changed our spiritual nature and identity, how we have passed from being dead in sins to alive in Christ, and how this changes every aspect of our existence.

The wonderful truth shown in verses 9 and 10 is that this was a one-time event. Unlike the bulls and goats of the Old Covenant, which needed repeat offerings year upon year, Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all— an action that never wears out or loses its potency.

Verse 11 says we are called to reckon (account as factually accurate) our new nature and status in Christ today.

Right now, at this very moment, you are dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Christ Jesus… this is not a position that you are striving for and hope to achieve one day— instead, it is a true and real privilege which you enjoy right now, all because of Jesus’ sacrifice for you.

Be blessed.