Universal Fears
Resurrection Hope

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-12

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

In this first week of December we will be looking at how the Bible deals with the universal fear that all societies had (have) of death. All the fears that we will look at this month have a corresponding need that is created by the fear factor. The resulting need from the fear of death is our need for security. Everyone longs to feel secure and safe from harm.

The Apostle Paul approaches this fear factor of death by reminding us of the work accomplished by Jesus Christ. The Jewish people were given a symbolic sign to remind them of their security in God. This symbolic ceremony is called circumcision. It was a human sign of a divine action. God used this ceremony to help them feel secure in Him and know He accepted those being circumcised. The Apostle Paul tells us that in Christ Jesus there is a spiritual circumcision. Instead of the physical cutting away of flesh, Jesus cut away our sinful nature. Those who believe in Jesus have the assurance of an inner action of God that cuts away the sin that separates us from God.

The New Testament created a new symbolism to help us visualize this act of God… baptism. As we are taken under the water in baptism, it symbolizes being buried with Jesus – when He died. As we are brought up out of the water, we symbolize our resurrection to new life in Christ. Jesus has been resurrected; death is destroyed and we live forever with Him!

Father, I will enjoy the peace and assurance of my life in you. Death will be but a transition to my eternal life in you! I praise you in Jesus’ Name, amen.