“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? But 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 firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.
The real meaning and message of Easter was expressed in simple words spoken by an angel on the first Easter morning. The angel asked a question and gave an answer which was spoken to the women who hurried to Jesus’ grave early on the first Easter morning. The angel asked the women, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The women came to the grave to complete the burial custom of the Jews. They had not had enough time on Friday to complete the burial before the Sabbath Day began. But the body of Jesus was not there. The angel gave them astounding news: “He is not here, but is risen!” Luke 24:5-6.
When we talk about Easter, we talk about Jesus, who died on Calvary’s cross and was buried on Friday and who rose from the grave early on Easter morning. This is the message which we preach. This is the saving message that Christians believe. At the close of First Corinthians, chapter fifteen, the great resurrection chapter of the Bible, the apostle Paul triumphantly writes, “Death is swallowed up in victory . . . Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 15:54, 57. As Christians, we regularly confess, “I believe in the resurrection of the body!” Jesus rose from the grave and lives, and He promises us that we shall also be raised and live eternally with Him in heaven.
This victorious message is believed by every Christian, and it is rejected by every non-Christian. We preach Jesus crucified and Jesus risen! Paul asks, “How can some people claim to be followers of Jesus, but deny His resurrection?” If Christ did not rise from the grave, then our preaching is empty and your faith is empty. Then we are preaching about a Jesus whose body is still in a grave somewhere, and we are liars and deceivers. Then people are believing in a dead Savior. However, a dead Savior is not a Savior. If that is the case, then the scoffers, atheists, and unbelievers are right – death is the end of everything! Paul says, “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.”
However, we have ample testimony in Holy Scripture about Jesus’ resurrection. The Bible records eleven different appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. One of His appearances was witnessed by over 500 people. Not one of His recorded appearances has ever been disproven by any arrogant unbeliever.
The final words of this passage are a triumphant expression: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep!” Christians sing triumphantly:
I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to silence all my fears, He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart, He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, all glory to His name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives, “I know that my Redeemer lives!” Amen.