Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
12 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? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Devotion
Some people want to paint Jesus as a great teacher, a moral leader, and a religious figure. But they dismiss the claims that he raised from the dead! They act like it’s possible to admire him for one thing, and ignore the other.

Paul’s argument here is that without his resurrection our faith is pointless. Basically, who cares if he was a moral teacher? Who cares if he was inspiring, or taught truths in a way no one ever had before? That’s wonderful, but it really doesn’t answer the deepest need of humankind. If he was just a moral teacher we could learn good ideas from him, and even change our way of living, but in the end it still doesn’t answer the question of our separation from God and what happens when we die.

That’s why Paul says, “if only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” Jesus, of course, gave us teaching that will change our lives, but he did so much more than that. He died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead. While it is obviously the most difficult part to believe, it is also the most crucial. If he didn’t rise from the dead, then our faith is “useless” and “futile.” But if he did rise from the dead, then he is the hope of the world, and the true meaning of life. If he did rise from the dead then he offers us a chance at new life as well. Both new life now, and new life forever. If he did rise from the dead then not only is sin defeated, but death is defeated, and eternal life is offered to all who believe.

What does his resurrection mean to you? How has it changed your life? What new life is he offering you today?

Prayer
Thank you Jesus for your resurrection. Thank you for saving me, rescuing me, and delivering me from death. Thank you for making a way for me to truly live!

Author: Christian Dunn