Death and Life

We carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:10

This verse is prefaced by Paul recounting all the troubles that he and his missionary team had faced. Difficulties that have come against them, but that have not overtaken them. He equates these sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus and concludes that they simply are a continuance of the death of Jesus being displayed in their lives, in order for the life of Christ to be displayed. With Christ as an example, we see that before the dawn there is darkness. Before Christ could triumph over the grave, He first had to die. The same is true in the life of a believer. In order for the life of Jesus to make us truly alive, we first have to die as Jesus died. This should help us look at suffering from a new perspective. Not to minimize suffering in anyway, but to realize its ultimate purpose. To realize how God can take ALL things and use it for our good. To show us how He truly is a redeemer. God wastes nothing but makes ALL things new. When we face trials and uncertainties, we can look at them as an opportunity to carry the death of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be evidenced. If Jesus did not shirk away from the death He faced, neither should His disciples. It should be considered an opportunity for death to be swallowed up in victory (Isaiah 25:8, I Corin. 15: 54)