CRUCIFIXION IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS

To be crucified with one or more persons:

Matthew 27:44 – The thieves also, which were crucified with him.

Mark 15:32 – They that were crucified with him.

John 19:32 – The other which was crucified with him.

Figuratively of a person when he becomes a Christian:

Romans 6:6

Galatians 2:20

What does this mean?  Symbolically, there were many more crosses on Calvary’s hill, then the three that we usually think of. 

There was a lot going on in the vestibule while we watched “He Is Risen” Bible video on Wednesday night.  There was much wondering; there was much understanding.  We should all watch this gospel message with children – it will keep us fresh and sharp. 

One of the main questions that came from the littlest ones concerned who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. 

In their minds . . . they shouldn’t have killed Jesus – that was wrong.  The bad guys shouldn’t have done that.  I did not attempt to explain that this was all to take place according to the Scripture and although the bad guys were really bad . . . what they did fulfilled God’s perfect plan.

The children can understand that Jesus died for their sin and He rose again the third day. 

What do you think the children would have thought if I tried to explain to them that they need to now see many more crosses on Calvary’s hill – then just the three in the movie.  And on one of those crosses they need to see me. 

“I have been crucified with Christ” (symbolically) . . . just like the two thieves who were crucified with Him that day.

The children would think I was joking and asked if they could have another tootsie roll.

On Wednesday night that would have been OK.  Today in this group it is not.

I need to ask you some questions once again:

Has Christ been crucified for our sin according to the Scripture?

Was Christ raised again on the third day according to the Scripture?

Have you been crucified with Christ?

Have you been resurrected with Christ?

Just as the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the Christ is a clear and obvious fact to His church; so the co-crucifixion and co-resurrection of his children should also be an obvious fact to His church.

How can this be?

What does this mean?

This is answered in two important ways:

I would like to go to the book of Galatians today and look at the three times that Paul makes reference to crucifixion.

There are three main points Paul was making when using the word “crucifixion”.

I.                    My dealings with the law has to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, YET I LIVE – MY OLD LAWBREAKING NATURE = GENTILE (OR MY LAW-CRAVING NATURE = JEW) HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST.

GAL 2:17 "If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 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. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

MY POSITION:

sunestaurwmai . . . sustaurow (perfect passive indicative) – to crucify together ; perfect tense suggests that Paul is thinking of that specific completed event which marked his identification with Christ.

MY DECISION:

That I might live!

II.                 My sinful nature (flesh) has to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 5:24).

THE SINFUL NATURE HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED – MY OLD NATURE OR MY FLESH HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED . . . I NOW HAVE A NEW NATURE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

THIS MEANS WAR!

GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

MY POSITION:

estaurwsan . . . staupow (aorist active indicative) – to crucify ; the aorist points to a completed action in the past . . . most likely conversion.

MY DECISION:

5:16 – peripatew (present active imperative) . . . to walk about, to conduct one’s life – “Walk, walk, in the light . . . walking in the light of His Love”.

5:25 – Zaw (present active indicative) . . . to live

5:25 – stoicew  (present active subjunctive – mood of probability) . . . to stand in a row, to walk in a straight line, to behave properly.  The word was used for movement  in a definite line, as in military formation or in dancing (Mexican hat dance).

III.               My intimate connection to this old world has to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 6:14).

BOAST IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST:  THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED TO ME; AND I TO THE WORLD.

GAL 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

MY POSITION:

estaurwtai . . . staupow (perfect indicative passive) – to crucify, to put to death by crucifixion; the perfect tense indicates the continuing and lasting state or condition.

MY DECISION:

“all who follow this rule” (stoich – to walk or dance in line; Mexican hat dance)

My dealings with the law has to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).

My sinful nature (flesh) has to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 5:24).

My intimate connection to this old world has to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 6:14).

Does anybody like it better when we just talk about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection – and just leave us out of that picture? 

Does this seem too personal? 

If it does, then the Holy Spirit just hit a home run in your life. 

I just want the seed – the gospel message.

I don’t care for all this growing and pruning.

I’m not to sure about bearing fruit.

These are all one picture of the gospel message.