How do we carry around in our body the death of Jesus?
Getting older and physically degenerating certainly makes me feel like I am continually drawing closer to death and carrying around death in my body. But certainly Paul is referring to something else.
The death of Jesus... is self-sacrificing, an emptying of self, self-denial.
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." ~ Luke 9:23
Taking up a cross can so be done the wrong way -- with gloom, sadness, bitterness, anger. (How many times I struggle here?!)
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10
The right way -- with joy, cheerfully, and open hands! And, a smile :)
How do we carry around in our body the death of Jesus?
By freely and happily saying 'No' to ourselves, so His life can be displayed in us.
