In Colossians 2, Paul tells the people clearly and persistently about Jesus’ death on the cross and what it means for sin. We are going to look at this subject a few times. And it is good to do it, because it is impossible to fully understand this wonderful thing that Christ had done for us with just one reading, even for the cleverest and greatest theologian. Every time we read it, a new and fresh message jumps out.

To make the point again and to explain it differently, Paul uses baptism. In baptism we die with Jesus and earth falls on the casket. ¹³Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ!

We all know that the punishment for sin is death. You cannot make any sin right with a good deed. Not even a million good deeds can eradicate one little sin. This is a very important purpose of baptism: It is actually a funeral. My own funeral, even if it is a little early.

At our funeral we get what we deserve for all the sins we committed and will still commit – death – obviously! But fortunately we don’t stay dead. No, fortunately we’re not buried all on our own. Someone who already had to go this way is part of our funeral, together with us in the casket: Christ!

And with our own funeral we follow Jesus to death. But we do not only get in and lie down with Him in the casket; when He gets up and gets out, we’re just behind Him! Who wants to remain lying down with life stretched out before you?

Therefore, it is incomprehensible why many still drag the guilt of sin behind them. Some drag that bag of sin with them every day. Sweat pours down their bodies, they get slowed down, they are unhappy, they can do nothing for others. The sin becomes so heavy that they can hardly get up in the morning. For things we could have left behind in the casket!

My friend, don’t you want to fall on your knees with me and confess your sin before God and leave it there? God never intended for you to carry that guilt with you forever. No, God wants us to fly. He wants us to hop, skip and jump along the road. Come on, let’s leave the baggage behind and do just that!

All we have to do is to believe that we have been resurrected with Jesus: ¹³…God brought you alive—right along with Christ!

Go and live in freedom, without hand brakes.

Scripture

Colossians 2:13

Reflection

What is pulling up your hand brake?

Why is it so difficult to leave your sin with Jesus?

What do you have to do now?

Prayer

Jesus, thank you that your death on the cross has saved me from a life dominated by sin, leading to death. Because of your obedience to God, I have the chance to make a new beginning: A life in the light. We rejoice because our sin has been forgiven in the Name of Jesus. Amen.