Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ: The Grave

Joseph, a disciple of Jesus gained permission from Pilate to take away Jesus’ body to prepare it for the grave. As per burial custom of the Jews with high status or royalty, Jesus’ body was bound in a mixture of myrrh, aloes, and spices weighing about seventy-five pounds. His body was taken to a tomb in a garden in which no dead body had laid. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection showed that our old self was to be crucified with him in order that the body may die, and that our soul and spirit would no longer be enslaved to sin, for who has died to sin has been set free and given newness in Christ and new life. 

Jesus came to earth to (1) be an example to us in how to live, and (2) serve as the perfect sacrifice as payment for our sins. To receive this free gift, we’re called to acknowledge our sinfulness, accept Christ’s sacrifice for us, and repent of sin as we pursue a life acknowledging Jesus as the Ruler of it. Romans 6:11 reminds us to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.

Today, as we remember why Christ had to come to earth, live the perfect life He did, and die for us because of our sinfulness, we focus specifically on the cost of our sin and the price Jesus paid so that we could live. In response, we are to live as new creations in Christ, and not continue in our old, sinful ways. Galatians 2:20 emphasizes that we have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us. The life we live now, we live in faith in our God who gave Himself for us to redeem our brokenness.

Lord, we praise You, and we thank You for Your goodness and mercies that are new each day. We thank You for what You did on the cross, and that we get to partake in Your resurrection work as You have made us new creations. Thank You for being faithful and never giving up on us. God, we honor and glorify all that You are. Help us turn against temptation and wicked ways and follow You daily. Help us to always be on guard and prepare for the enemy. Help us to have courage to share Your Word and to love others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.