1 Corinthians 15:16-18
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished..
1 Corinthians 15 is sort of Paul’s apologetics for the resurrection. He is arguing, with reasons, why we should believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. At this juncture, let me mention that Christianity stands on two great realities – the virgin womb and the empty tomb. The miraculous birth and His resurrection from the dead must be true if our faith is to be meaningful. That is Paul’s major argument in this passage as he responded to those who claimed that there is nothing like the resurrection and that Jesus was not raised either. To those, he responds by reminding us that the significance of our faith lies in the fact that Christ was raised from the dead. Otherwise, ours remains a futile faith, and our sins still remain. Not only that, but also if the resurrection of Christ did not happen, then there is no life after death, and this pitiable life is all we have. But our hope is in the fact that one day this present world riddled with sin will come to an end. And these bodies that are encumbered by many toils and sorrows will one day be clothed with glorious, immortal ones.
One of the most amazing things about the resurrection of Christ is the fact that the disciples, who were with Jesus to the very end, attested to it. They saw Him die a real death and was buried. Then He appeared to them later full of life. Not only that, but they went about proclaiming this truth to their own detriment. It would be a delusion of unparalleled proportions for people to believe in something that they are certain is not true and be ready to be tortured and murdered for it. We can, without a shadow of a doubt, be truly assured that the resurrection happened. Moreover, Christianity is the only religious tradition whose founder died but did not remain in the grave. Because our Lord was no mere man but God Himself who took on flesh. And for those of us who have placed our faith in Him, one day we shall see Him face to face, and we shall be made to be like Him. With this truth, we, therefore, stare at the ugly face of death and declare:
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Reflections
1. What has been your most meaningful topic this week? What one great insight have you learnt?
2. In what ways does today’s devotion help to build your faith and give you hope?
