Have Faith in The Resurrection
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (NASB)
12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
SUMMARY
Paul proclaims that if Christ’s resurrection did not happen, then everything that proceeds and comes after is vanity--no forgiveness of sins, we become false witnesses of God, faith and preaching is in vain, those who are already dead in Christ will perish. And lastly, that we would be most pitiful among all men.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Paul emphasized the importance of resurrection because it is one of the foundations of our faith. Jesus repeatedly admonished His disciples that He would suffer and be crucified but that He would resurrect. So why did they choose to only believe partly and not the whole? We see clearly in Matthew 16:21, “From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Also in Mark 8:31). Perhaps because they were spiritually short-sighted; they only wanted to live for this world and for the moment. What a tragic thing to consider. To think that life is just for here and now is truly disheartening and hopeless.
With all that’s happening in the world around us today, we may want to throw in the towel. However, God’s word through Paul reminds us that life in Christ is abundant now on earth, and all the more worthwhile when all is revealed perfectly when we are in His presence. We get to live in hope today because we have an eternal perspective. So even if things don’t go as we prayed and hoped for, here and now, we can so look forward to the glory we will behold in His presence. All this is possible because Jesus resurrected, and we will be resurrected with Him one day, if our bodies should perish. So we are the most blessed of all people! Because we get to live here with hope as we endure AND we get to see our hope fulfilled in Christ when we will behold Him face to face.
APPLICATION
I’m reminded of this verse in Colossians 3:1-2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“
My mind has been on many things these days as our lives have been restricted in various ways. I’m thankful for the community of believers that allow me to share and be vulnerable. For me, the “earthly things” are not so much the material things, but it’s the stuff that carries my heart away from looking to Him. Such things are my worries and uncertainties of what the future may hold for us and the next generation. But His words remind me today to see with my spiritual eyes, the risen Lord who is seated at the right hand of God, reigning supremely with power and love. I dedicate myself to refocus my heart to Him as I come daily to pray and read His words, because although heaven and earth will pass away, his words will never pass away.
PRAYER
Isaiah 6:1: “...I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”
Lord, I long to see You this way daily as Isaiah did. Thank You for keeping Your promise to save us from our sins by sending Your Son. Death has been defeated because You rose victoriously. We worship You! Help us live today knowing fully that You are with us, and will be coming for Your people. Let not the trivial matters of this world chain us and strip us of the joy we have in You. We praise You and love You, and await Your return. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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