Crucified with Christ

Galatians 2:20 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Repeatedly throughout my Christian walk, I have considered the question, “What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?” 

Surrender—of my life, of my will—is central to my understanding of what it means to be a Christ-follower. When I chose to follow Jesus, I decided to give myself to Jesus. Following Christ means living as Christ lived. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The gospel calls me to give my body–to be crucified as it were–so that I might become the hands and feet of Christ in the world today. 

There is a poem attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, a 16th-century Carmelite nun. It was likely inspired by her life, whether or not it was written by her. I want to share it with you today. It is called Christ Has No Body. 

Christ Has No Body 

Christ has no body but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks 

Compassion on this world, 

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, 

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. 

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, 

Yours are the eyes, you are his body. 

Christ has no body now but yours, 

No hands, no feet on earth but yours, 

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world. 

Christ has no body now on earth but yours. 

Friends, the world needs the body of Christ now as much as it ever has. The question for us as Christ followers today and each day is this: how might we surrender ourselves in all of our encounters so that those we meet will see Christ in us? 

Let us pray: 

Lord Jesus, we rely on your grace to change us. Today and every day, may we offer up ourselves in living sacrifice, that we might become more and more like you. Help us see the world through your eyes of compassion, and bless the world, serving as your hands and feet. In your precious and holy name we pray, amen. 

This devotional was written and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. 

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org. 

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.