Evening, December 14
Go To Morning Reading
“I am crucified with Christ.”
Galatians 2:20
The Lord Jesus Christ acted in what he did as a great public representative
person, and his dying upon the cross was the virtual dying of all
his people. Then all his saints rendered unto justice what was due,
and made an expiation to divine vengeance for all their sins. The
apostle of the Gentiles delighted to think that as one of Christ’s chosen people, he died upon the cross in Christ. He did more than
believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his
hope upon it. He believed that by virtue of Christ’s death, he had satisfied divine justice, and found reconciliation
with God. Beloved, what a blessed thing it is when the soul can, as
it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ, and feel, “I am dead; the law has slain me, and I am therefore free from its
power, because in my Surety I have borne the curse, and in the person
of my Substitute the whole that the law could do, by way of condemnation,
has been executed upon me, for I am crucified with Christ.”
But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in Christ’s death, and trusted in it, but he actually felt its power in himself
in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature. When he saw
the pleasures of sin, he said, “I cannot enjoy these: I am dead to them.” Such is the experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ,
he is to this world as one who is utterly dead. Yet, while conscious
of death to the world, he can, at the same time, exclaim with the
apostle, “Nevertheless I live.” He is fully alive unto God. The Christian’s life is a matchless riddle. No worldling can comprehend it; even
the believer himself cannot understand it. Dead, yet alive! crucified
with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in newness
of life! Union with the suffering, bleeding Saviour, and death to
the world and sin, are soul-cheering things. O for more enjoyment
of them!