We were there!

You died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.                — Colossians 3:3

Christa McAuliffe was one of the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. She had been selected from among many applicants to be the first teacher in space. Her commitment to education and the space program had captured the imagination of many. At a memorial service, one teacher said, “When Christ stepped onto that shuttle, we stepped on with her. And when she died, a part of us died too.”

These comments about Christa remind me of a much deeper identification — the believer’s spiritual union with Christ. Because of our relationship to Him, we can say, “When He was lifted up on that cross, we were there with Him. When He died, we died!” The apostle Paul said that we died with Christ (Col. 2:20; 3:3), and we were also raised with Him (3:1). Therefore, in Him we are accepted and forgiven by God (Eph. 1:6-7).

What remains to be seen is whether our lives show that we really do believe we were united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Our confession of faith must be more than a memorial statement. It must show that we have put away our old life of sin and have set our mind on things above.                 — Mart De Haan

I have been to the cross where my Savior died,

And all my life is made new —

In the person of Him I am crucified.

I have been to cross. Have you?   — Frazer Bower

READ: Col. 2:20-3:11

To show His love, Jesus died for us; to show our love, we must live for Him!

The Bible in one year:

• Leviticus 1-4