Cruci[fiction]

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20 

When I look at the passion narrative of Jesus Christ, especially the crucifixion itself I come to one logical conclusion; crucifixion is surrender. Jesus surrendered himself to God’s will, fulfilling and ultimately providing the way for the redemption of man to take place on this Earth. The question, have you been crucified today? Seriously, think about the past week of your life. How have you allowed yourself to be crucified? If we want Christ to live in us, if we want the living Spirit of Jesus to dwell inside of us, first we have to submit to crucifixion. Paul first says he was crucified, then and only then did “Christ live” in him. What have you surrendered to Jesus, what have you given to him? I’m not talking about the decision to become to a Christian, or attending church once a week or tithing. Those are important and beautiful.

But what about the small things? A friend of mine spoke at the college I attend and one idea has stuck with me since. It’s the small things that define us, the day to day.

When I’m honest, I’m not a consistent executioner of myself. I always get what I want, I’m selfish, and when I can’t I pout and I whine and I get cynical. I say I have Jesus is living and dwelling in me, but when I’m honest, I can’t think of many things I surrender.

My crucifixion becomes a cruci[fiction] because it doesn’t even exist, it’s not real. How can Christ live in me, if I still live in me? Christ can’t exist if I fight surrender of everything in my life.

We need to find ways to surrender even small things, allow ourselves to be crucified and make it real. Then and only then we can claim that Jesus lives inside of us.