1 Corinthians 15:12-22
Now, if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too. Then we are even guilty of giving false testimony about God because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, if it were true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then it also follows that those who fell asleep in Christ perished. If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You have risen from the dead, and we have the hope of salvation and the promise of everlasting life. All that we believe is anchored on the truth of the resurrection. No other religious figure in the world has an empty tomb other than yours. You did not come back to life only to die again, nor was your death only an illusion that you only appeared to die. You went to that cross and suffered death, then three days later, you rose from the dead. Which meant the Father accepted the payment for our sins.
The Old Testament pointed to you, and you kept that plan of salvation to the last letter. What we believe is not based on a relative idea but the fact of your resurrection; many eyewitnesses saw you. The Roman soldiers witnessed the empty tomb on Easter morning, while the women were the first to see you alive. Paul recorded the eleven apostles, and your disciples witnessed your resurrection, and at another time, hundreds saw you. So that through your word, we, too, can be certain of our resurrection. The hope we have is a sure thing because you rose. We know that you paid our sins’ debt entirely and removed our sin forever. While the evidence is clear, it also comes down to faith the Holy Spirit started in us, about you, our Savior.
Let us share the truth with others who may only see Easter for bunnies and Easter eggs, that they may know their Savior lives and their sins are forgiven. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
He has risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!