Sharing in Christ’s Death and Revealing His Resurrection

Corinne Ray

We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours. Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. We continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. We consider living to mean that we are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. So, then, death is at work in us but it releases life in you. We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith.” So we also first believe then speak in faith. We do this because we are convinced that he who raised Jesus will raise us up with him, and together we will all be brought into his presence. Yes, all things work for your enrichment so that more of God’s marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise to God, bringing him even more glory! So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day. We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (TPT)

Have you seen the shorts on YouTube or IG of Christians calling God to ask Him to cancel their subscription to the trials and tribulations package? I have seen several that made me laugh but some days, I also want to call the heaven hotline and cancel my subscription. Sharing in Christ’s death is not what we typically picture when we commit our lives to following Jesus. Yet the Scripture says that we continually share in the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the resurrection life of Jesus will be revealed through our humanity. What does that look like for us? The pressure from troubles, perplexing circumstances, persecution by others, getting knocked down and suffering we experience is how we share in the death of Jesus. He suffered that and much more when He took our sins upon Him and died for us.

For you it might be a loved one struggling with anxiety and depression, maybe it’s an unfavorable diagnosis from your doctor, maybe it’s a boss or co-worker who’s already tried your very last nerve. Troubles are never enjoyable for the person going through it. Trouble may make us want to quit and cancel our subscription, but Paul encourages us that troubles are short-lived (insert Tye Tribbett’s song Only One Night Tho) in the light of eternity and that we also reveal Christ’s resurrection through our humanity.

Christ’s death releases life in us. Jentezen Franklin said it this way, “When your world appears as though it’s all falling apart in the physical, it’s actually falling into place in the spiritual.” Trouble should cause us to lean into God even more. Our faith should grow because we know God is working things together to improve and enhance us so that His grace can spread to more and more people, bringing Him glory. So don’t give up! Stop calling to cancel your subscription. The Trials and Tribulations package is actually a crucial part of the Eternity package.  The difficulties we face now are renewing us spiritually and producing an eternal weight of glory. Jesus could have decided not to go to the cross, but He endured because He knew the Father’s plan and He focused on eternity with us. When we react to our difficulties with faith and keep our focus on God, it shows those around us Christ’s resurrection. They know that we can’t do that in our own human power or strength. We’re simply human vessels that the light of God shines through. That creates an opportunity for them to see Christ in us and bring God more praise and glory for His grace that’s demonstrated in our lives, especially in the midst of trouble.

Reflection: How am I sharing in Christ’s death and revealing His resurrection in my life? How can I lean in to God during this Lent Season?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love that sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Help me not to run away from sharing in His death by trying to avoid troubles and difficulties. Help me to lean in to You and allow my faith and walk with You to be enriched in the midst of what I’m facing. Help me to focus on eternity and Your plan for my life instead of my situation. Let the resurrection of Christ be evidence of your grace operating in my life and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.