Week 5 - The Power of the Cross
Worship
Start your time with the Lord today worshipping him through the song “Out of Hiding (Father’s Song)” by Steffany Gretzinger. You can find this song along with the rest of the songs for the Exodus Course devotional linked here on your preferred platform.
Scripture
Galatians 2:20-21
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Devotional
This is such a powerful truth - that we have been crucified with Christ.
There is so much behind this statement, so much to wrap our heads around. First of all we’ve got to understand that we all deserved the cross. Jesus didn’t. And when I say that, I don’t simply mean that we deserved to die because of our sins, which is true - as the curse of sin is death, but even more than this that we deserve to experience the wrath and punishment of God for our sins. It’s something we can’t avoid, can’t get around - God is just and there are consequences for our rebellion against him.
Did you know that the Romans reserved death by crucifixion for those they deemed the worst of criminals - rebels against Rome. The didn’t crucify just anyone, it was even against the law for a Roman citizen to be crucified, it was that shameful, that painful, that traumatic that it was reserved for rebels.
This is a prophetic indication as to the price Jesus was paying for our rebellion against the Father, as he died a rebels death that was our due.
Jesus died a rebels death - even though he never rebelled against God. You and I on the other hand, do deserve a rebels death. The Bible teaches us this:
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jesus died in our place. And what this means is that if we receive his sacrifice for us through faith, then legally we were crucified with Christ. Additionally, because we died with him, we were also raised with him! Our life is now hidden in Christ - completely wrapped up in him, the Bible even teaches us that we are now one spirit with Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:17)!
Yes you and I owed a great debt, and were inline to pay the penalty for it because God is just. And yet, when we put our faith in Jesus we can say with confidence “I have been crucified with Christ”. What wonderful freedom we have in the forgiveness of God - made available through the cross!
If you feel overwhelmed by your sin, brokenness and failure today, preach the gospel to yourself - that you were crucified with Christ, and rejoice! And go on and let Jesus live through you, as you walk in victory over sin.
Prayer
Lord I come to you in faith today, hidden in Christ. Thank you Jesus for bearing my sin and dying my death, and paying for the consequences of my rebellion. Help me to live a life worthy today of what you’ve done for me. I don’t treat what you’ve done for me lightly - I thank you for the cross, thank you Jesus.