Week 3: Death

Crucified with Christ pt. 2

How is it that we take on the crucifixion of Jesus?

When we are baptized into the death of Jesus, what happens that unifies us into his place?

If I am incapable of fulfilling the righteousness of Jesus, then how can I die to myself well enough to please the Father?

These are hugely important questions at the heart of our Gospel formation. We continue reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians in today's passage. The Galatians are struggling with the role of the Jewish law in the life of the church. The reading yesterday ended with Paul professing, “I have been crucified with Christ.” He builds strongly upon that theological foundation with his poignant critique of the Galatians in today’s reading.

He asks six rhetorical questions:

1. Who has bewitched you?
2. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard?
3. Are you so foolish?
4. After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish using the flesh?
5. Have you experienced so much in vain - if it was really in vain?
6. Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

Paul pulls no punches!

Many of us would be upset if we heard our preachers today preach like that. Why is Paul so upset with the Galatians? It’s because they are trying to accomplish righteousness through their own efforts instead of through trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. This section in the reading today is bookended with two vital points.

First, Paul points adamantly in the opening verse to the Galatian Christian's public witness of Jesus as crucified. In their public baptism, they join Jesus in his public crucifixion. He reminds them that they have died with Christ. Second, in the last verse of the section, he points back to Jesus again, saying, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” In other words, God forms us into the death of Christ through the work of his Spirit in relationship with faith.

We might need that reminder as well today. So often, we try to transform ourselves. We think we can make ourselves righteous enough, faithful enough, strong enough, pretty enough, holy enough to receive God’s promise, but it is never enough. Only through the work of the Spirit can we receive what God has promised to us.

As you read today’s text, ask yourself the six questions above.