INTRODUCTION

In Colossians 2-3, Paul unfolds the implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We were “buried with Him in baptism” ( 2:12 ), and we have also been raised with Him (3:1). Our participation in Good Friday and Easter determines the shape our lives take.

THE TEXT

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God . . . .” (Colossians 3:1-17).

SEEK ABOVE

Our attention is to be focused on Christ, and since He is seated at the right hand of God, that’s where our minds should be set (3:1-2). This sounds like pietistic irresponsibility; shouldn’t we be attending to what’s happening around us, right in front of us? Paul isn’t saying that the world can go to hell for all we care. He’s describing the only stance that does any good for the world, for our lives here. The Colossians are surrounded by dangerous persecutors; but when they focus on Jesus, they know that they are safe. We’re in the middle of a massive economic crisis; but we don’t panic because our minds are set on Christ enthroned at the right hand of the Father.

HID WITH CHRIST

Because we are united to Christ, Paul tells us, our lives are not even accessible on earth. Christ is our life (3:4). We no longer live, Paul tells the Galatians ( 2:20 ), but Christ lives in us. Here in Colossians, he says that the life we have is Christ Himself, and since Christ is in heaven at the right hand of the Father, our live is there too. What happened to Christ has happened to us, and it will happen: When Christ appears in glory, then our lives too will be unveiled (Colossians 3:4). Since we’re raised with Christ, we’re invulnerable, for who can ascend to heaven to drag Christ down?

PUT ASIDE, PUT ON

In the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we adopt a wholly new way of life. Our old fleshly existence was full of immorality, impurity, evil desire, and idolatrous greed (3:5). But that life was crucified when Jesus died, and when we were given of share of His death in baptism ( 2:11 -12). Our job is to “put to death” these things, and to “put aside” the garments of anger, wrath, slander, and abusive speech. That’s what Good Friday means. It means stripping off all this flesh. Easter means that we put on new clothes, just as Jesus was robed in glory at His resurrection. We are being renewed in His image, full of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and thanksgiving ( 3:10 , 12-17). That’s the life of the resurrection, which we live now.

PEOPLE OF EASTER

We saw last week that “flesh” in Paul refers not merely to “sinful nature,” but to all the privileges and achievements that come from our own efforts or from our ethnic or family heritage. By sharing in Christ’s resurrection, we put off the flesh, and instead form a community that transcends national, ethnic, social distinctions, a community in which “Christ is all, and in all” ( 3:10 -11).