Unwrappings (Rom. 6; Jn. 11, Luke 24; Heb. 12)
The wrappings of Christmas permeate everything. Trees line hallways at school, wreaths hang from the ceiling tiles and doors, and presents have been placed on and under the tree for distribution. The music is festive. Christmas cheer oozes and anticipation builds as the semester nears its end, yet the pangs of death’s sting have invaded our hallways and classrooms bringing sadness to mix with the joys of Christmas. Death’s recent invasion makes me think of other wrappings as I pick up and read Romans 6 today. Much of the literature I teach in the upper grades speaks toward the idea that death is inevitable, inescapable. It is inevitable because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, NIV), but through Christ’s work to justify men, in Him righteousness and hope (and life) may be found. Paul’s words in Romans 6:11-14 remind that us many people who claim to be in Christ walk around like dead folk trapped inside their graves, choosing to live in rottenness in...