May 28
“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up – if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep,” 1 Corinthians 15:13-20.
If we eliminate the teaching of the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of the body, then the Christian Churches should close their doors! Then all the fundamental teachings of Christianity are lies, and Christian pastors are liars and deceivers. Then the Christian Churches are devoted to a waste of time and money. Then why am I even spending my time writing these devotions? Earlier in this chapter, the apostle wrote, “If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” 1 Corinthians 15:32. Paul is quoting the prophet Isaiah, chapter 22, verse 13.
“If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” If Christ is not risen, then all our teaching and preaching is of no value. In fact, it does great harm. Christian pastors, teachers and followers are false witnesses. We are declaring something as fact when indeed it is fiction! We are asking people to believe lies.
“If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” Our Christian hope is expressed in these words written by the apostle John: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is no forgiveness of sins. Believing in a dead Savior is a futile, hopeless faith! If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then His body is still buried somewhere outside the walls of ancient Jerusalem.
When speaking of death and burial, there is no comfort available for those who mourn the death of their loved ones who died in the faith. Paul writes, “Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished!” If there is no resurrection of the dead, then all we can say to the mourners of a loved one is, “It’s too bad! Your loved one is dead and gone! You have no other hope!” I remember that during a visit to the Holy Land, we asked the minister of religion in Jerusalem, “What hope do you have for a life hereafter, since you do not believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and your Savior?” The response was, “This is the only life of which you can be sure! Get out of it all you can!” Indeed, then the words of the apostle apply: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable!”
However, in view of everything said, Paul writes, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Paul concludes with the doubt-removing truth, “Christ is risen from the dead!” It is an historical fact! We have hope and a word of comfort for all who mourn the death of a fellow Christian.
Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s won! Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done! From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence. Amen.