Daily devotional · April 12
If Christ Is Raised
“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
Paul does not treat the resurrection as an optional extra. He argues that if Christ has not been raised, preaching is empty, faith is futile and those who have died are lost. Then he sets it right: Christ has been raised, the first fruits of those who sleep. First fruits means the harvest has begun; what happened to Jesus will happen to all who belong to him. That is the difference between hope and wishful thinking. Christians do not deny death's pain, but we face it with a promise. Today, remember someone you have lost, or think about your own future, and let this truth steady you: the tomb is empty. Then do one concrete thing that lives out resurrection hope, such as writing to a grieving friend or forgiving someone. If grief feels heavy, do not hesitate to talk with a pastor or counselor.
Prayer
Living Lord, thank You that death is not the end. Hold those who grieve. Amen.