The Dying of Jesus

“For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” Romans 6:10.

“The death” is Jesus’ atoning death. 1 John 2:1-2. The death which He died in the days of His flesh (1 Peter 3:18) —the death of the grain of wheat (John 12:24)—is the great mystery of godliness. 1 Timothy 3:16. The exhortation in Romans 6:11, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” is an exhortation to the disciple to die as a grain of wheat, to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit (Romans 8:13), and thus have his fruit to sanctification (Romans 6:22). This is the wisdom that is ordained for our glory, the wisdom which Paul spoke among those who were mature. 1 Corinthians 2:6-7.

We need to go further than the elementary principles of Christ (Hebrews 6:1) to be a grain of wheat that can be put into the ground to die. By baptism, the disciple has made a covenant to “die.” Romans 6:3. This covenant is sealed when we consider ourselves crucified with Christ. We have become a member of the body of Christ, and the life of the grain of wheat can begin.

Jesus is the author and finisher of dying to sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3 and Colossians 2:14-15. The death sentence was carried out on all human nature by Jesus’ dying to sin in the flesh and being made alive in the spirit. Life and immortality were brought to the light, and the powers of darkness were overcome forever. 2 Timothy 1:10. Jesus walked every single step on the new and living way. He was tempted in all points as we are; therefore He can help those who follow Him on this way. Hebrews 4:15.

The death within “the body”—the life of the grain of wheat—is hidden to most people. The fact that we have to suffer in the flesh, and that there is something called “fellowship in the sufferings of Christ,” is a hidden gospel. Religious people have forgiveness and an imputed righteousness through Jesus’ atoning death. Nevertheless, they do not see that it takes a personal life as a grain of wheat to par­take of sanctification. They can be saved and live on the new earth; but in order to be an heir of God and joint heir with Christ, we must suffer with Him. Romans 8:17. The exhortation to reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God, is a pleasant word to those who fear God; but to those religious people who are enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18), the word about suffering in the flesh (1 Peter 4:1) is considered bondage.

Jesus is finished with “dying”—all God’s zeal toward Him has been satisfied. Now it is the disciple’s turn to be put into the ground to die—to put to death sin in the flesh—little by little. We need temp­tations and sufferings in the flesh until the very end. This is the dis­ciple’s death—dying as a grain of wheat—while he walks in his Mas­ter’s steps. We are anointed with the oil of gladness if we are faithful in this hidden life. Hebrews 1:9. The result will be development and growth as we are molded into Jesus’ image.

Through the obedience of faith, Jesus finished His “dying” in the period of time that lasted from when He came into the world until He expired on Calvary. Then He had secured an atonement for all the sins of the world and had consecrated a new and living way through the veil, that is, His flesh. God be praised for His mighty work in Christ Jesus.