We were buried therefore
with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by
the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
(ESV)
Today is the Ides of March, the day on which Julius Caesar
was stabbed to death in 44 B.C. Brutus,
Cassius, and the other senators thought they were bringing about freedom from
tyranny by assassinating Caesar, and perhaps they did, for about five
minutes. Yet anyone who knows anything
about history knows that tyranny quickly sprang up again in Rome. Its roots run deep throughout the world
today.
Compare the death of Caesar with the death of Jesus. While we recall the Ides of March as a
significant event in history, no one participates in the death of Caesar in the
way we participate in the death of Jesus through baptism, and for good
reason. Jesus was raised to life, and by
participation in His death, we receive His life. This is a great and wonderful mystery and the
foundation of our faith.
Political and military struggles will continue until Christ
returns. Caesars will rise and Caesars
will fall, and there is much to learn from the deeds of history. No historical act, however, will ever bring
life as did the death of our Savior.
Jesus, we pray to You because You alone are God. May Your life reign in me even as I continue
to die to myself. Amen.
Copyright © 2015 by Steven R. Perkins
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