Monday, May 12, 2025

           I Corinthians 15 is one of the Bible’s most important chapters.  In verses 1-6, we learn the gospel message that Paul preached.  This passage is an early Christian creed that served as the basis for preaching about the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  It appeared in teaching, instruction and worship within one to six years following the resurrection.  A bit later in the same chapter, Paul used the resurrection of Jesus as the basis for encouraging His readers with the promise of resurrection.  Believers today live with the hope of new life immediately following death because of Jesus’ resurrection.  Paul wrote, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man” (1 Corinthians 15:20-21). 
            Our bodies in this world and lifetime, stained by sin, sickness and age, will be profoundly changed beyond what human minds could even possibly conceive.  Paul wrote, “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).  The frailties, sickness and wearing down that we face now will not always be present in us or working against us.  There is a new and greater day coming.  By faith, we anticipate that day.  And we comfort ourselves in the loss of loved ones who die in Christ by the promise of that day.
            All these truths about resurrection and new life can be a great comfort to us at all times and in all ways.  The sting of grief is tempered by this promise.  The fear of death, and dying itself, is weakened by this promise.  The fears and worries of life here ending are absorbed by the grace and peace of these simple truths.  Because Christ lived, died and rose again, we can always look to Him.  He is our crucified and risen King who, in His own life and body, forever broke the chains of death and the grave.  Nearing the end of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul wrote these words of triumph as he quoted the prophet Hosea, ““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).  The answer to these two questions is clear and the questions themselves are almost rhetorical in nature.  Death has no victory over those who are in Christ.  Death possesses no sting to inflict upon those who are in Christ.  Today, if you are in Christ, rejoice!  Rejoice that you are forgiven.  Rejoice that you have everlasting life.  Rejoice that neither death nor the grave hold any power over you!  Have a great Thursday!