8 November | Teens
«I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.» Galatians 2: 20
Crucifixion, in Jesus' time, wasn't such a pretty thing. It was one of the most painful and humiliating ways of punishing someone. So, when Paul says in Galatians 2:20 and 21, “I have been crucified with Christ”, he is talking about something very deep and serious. Let’s think about what that means.
Being crucified with Christ means that, by deciding to follow Jesus, we are accepting to face challenges and difficulties, just as He did. Nowadays, being a Christian may seem easy or even fashionable, but the real journey of following Jesus can be full of obstacles and difficult moments. Moments of the cross!
Paul reminds us that, as followers of Christ, we can face persecution, be misunderstood, or even hated because of our faith. Being a Christian isn't just about going to church or reading the Bible; it's a commitment to live as Jesus lived, love as He loved, speak what He spoke, and often, that means going against what's popular or easy. When Paul talks about Christ living in him, he means that every day, we need to let Jesus guide our thoughts, words and actions. It's a constant reminder that, even in the face of difficulties, we have Jesus as our greatest example and strength. So, today's challenge is: let Christ live in us!
Take Action
This week, think about how you can live more like Jesus. This might mean being kind even when it's hard, forgiving someone who has hurt you, or standing up for what's right, even if you feel alone in doing so.