Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection—And Ours - Ben Bailey

 Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection—And Ours

  “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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” (Romans 6:1-4). At the heart and core of the Gospel are the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-3).  This blockbuster event is the greatest expression of love and sacrifice anyone has ever known (Rom. 5:6-8).  Yet, these events also parallel the Christian’s conversion and commitment to the Savior who died for them (2 Cor. 5:14-15).  Notice Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection and ours.

Christ’s Death & Mine.  The Scriptures teach that Jesus died for sin (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).  He suffered in his physical body so that we don’t have to face the spiritual penalty of sin (John 3:16; Isa. 53:4).  The agony, torment, and pain he suffered was to free men from the slavery of sin (Rom. 6:17).  In parallel to that, the Christian dies to sin when he obeys the Gospel.  Paul asked the rhetorical question, “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it” (Romans 6:2)?  Of course, the answer is You Can Not.  When I make the decision to obey the Gospel, I put to death my “members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col 3:5).  When we repent of sin, we turn from it and turn to God (1 Thess. 1:9-10).   At this point, I have reenacted Christ’s death for sin by putting sin to death in my life.

Christ’s Burial & Mine.  As we read the story of Jesus' death, the Scriptures next emphasize His burial.  Jesus prophesied that he would not only die but be buried in the grave for three days (Mt. 12:40).  And the Scriptures record that is exactly what happened (Mark 15:42-47).  With this event in mind, Paul now draws a parallel between Jesus’ burial and ours when He says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death” (Rom. 6:4).  In fact, Paul would say it is at the point of our burial in water when we contact the saving death of Jesus Christ.  Notice these words: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3).  Just as it was necessary for Christ to be buried in the earth to show His power over death, we must be buried with Him in water to contact His death that saves (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38).  With this truth in mind, why would anyone ever want to deny the essentiality of baptism and its correlation to Jesus’ death?

Christ’s Resurrection & Mine.  The climax of the Gospel story is found in Jesus’ resurrection and ultimate victory over death.   The Scriptures teach this is the point at which Jesus dealt the ultimate death blow to death itself and overcame its power over mankind (Heb. 2:14-15).  When Christ arose from the grave, He gave living proof to all men that He is the Resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him will never really die (John 11:25).  Just as Christ rose from the dead, the Christian also reenacts the resurrection in His obedience to the Gospel.  The Holy Spirit says, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).  When one comes out of the water as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17) he now has a new outlook and a new purpose in life (Phil. 1:19-21).  And, just as Jesus vanquished death through His resurrection, we have been set from the bonds of sin and death by obeying the Gospel (Rom. 6:17-18).

So What/Now What?  How wonderful it is that every person who has obeyed the Gospel is a living and breathing testament to the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Truly, we should let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven (Mt. 5:16). Like the Macedonians, may it be said of us “You are our epistle…known and read by all men” (2 Cor. 3:2).  Also, my friend, if you have not obeyed the Gospel then the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Lord has not become a part of your life yet, and you are still lost in sin (Rom. 6:23).  But the good news is you can do something about that today.  Won’t you submit to God’s will by dying to sin (Luke 13:3), being buried with Christ in baptism (Rom. 6:1-4), and rising out of the watery grave victorious over sin and death with a new outlook on life?  We hope and pray that each of us will treasure our Lord’s sacrifice by living in such a way that it brings honor to Him every day!                                         –Ben Bailey