By Debra Franklin-Rothrock
Jeremiah 8:8-9:26 / Colossians 3:1-17 / Psalm 78:32-55 / Proverbs 24:27
We all know that when Christ died something supernatural happened…actually, many miraculous things happened; darkness fell,[1] dead people rose from their graves,[2] the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom,[3] and there was an earthquake![4] Then, the really major miracle; Christ rose from the dead! That is recorded in all four gospels and mentioned throughout the New Testament.
What we’re not as aware of is that when we believed in Jesus as the Christ, as our Savior; when we believed He saved us personally; something supernatural happened in us as well. Our fleshly nature died and we were born spiritually into a new life with Christ.
Whether it felt differently or not. Whether it was obvious to our human eyes or not, it was and is real. It is just as amazing and just as miraculous as earthquakes and dead people coming out of their tombs!
Frequently we just don’t get it. It is relatively easy to understand that our sins are forgiven. We know what it looks like to forgive and need forgiveness. But dying? Being born again? That is radical!
In John chapter three, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, struggled with this very concept. He asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] In response, Jesus explains that you must experience a spiritual rebirth. This is an actual birth into the heavenly realm.
In our reading today from Colossians, Paul tells us, “If then you have been raised with Christ (a spiritual rebirth), seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”[6] In Ephesians Paul goes on to say that God, “seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”[7]
Wow! In Colossians, Paul is using the present perfect tense: “a grammatical construction that is used to express a past event with present consequences.”[8] That means that we are literally, right now, seated with Christ in God in heavenly places. Can you even imagine?
If such a supernatural phenomenon has taken place in our lives is it any wonder that Paul tells us to focus on heaven and not be distracted by earth? Today’s entire reading from the first seventeen verses of Colossians talks about what that looks like.
Paul instructs us to put to death our tendency toward familiar earthly instincts. He gives examples of; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, etc. He tells us not to lie because we have put off our old selves. We are now dead to these things.
We are also told to put on our new selves. With intention, like putting on a clean pair of clothes, we are to be renewed in ever-increasing knowledge of our creator. We are to view each other without prejudice.
How important it is to act as God’s chosen ones. To actually behave in the physical world from a new perspective, as one who is holy, loved by God, compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient.
Before, our miraculous, supernatural-magical-spiritual rebirth into heavenly places, this was impossible. But now, we are empowered by the same resurrection power that caused the earth to go dark and quake. The same power that made Jesus raise from the tomb on the third day. That power enables us to walk in a new life as new creatures.
[1] Matthew 27:45
[2] Matthew 27:53
[3] Matthew 27:51
[4] Matthew 27:51
[5] John 3:4, English Standard Version, (ESV)
[6] Colossians 3:1, English Standard Version, (ESV)
[7] Ephesians 2:6, English Standard Version, (ESV)
[8] Definition from Wikipedia
