Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
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 from the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More that 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. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep (died).
– 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Devotion
Paul now begins a series of “ifs.” Paul faced the fact. He puts down these “ifs” as a demonstration of the importance of the resurrection of Christ. Paul points out that if Jesus did not raise from the dead, “your faith is useless and futile.” If Christ did not rise from the dead, then we are still in our sins. This means we are still lost and separated from God. Paul is not afraid to look at the other side of this debate, yet he concludes this section with, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…” Paul was certain because he encountered a resurrected Jesus! He goes on to say that Jesus was “the first-fruits” of those that have died. This implies that there will be more to follow! This is a blessed promise to you and me! Without the resurrection, we have no hope that this promise can be realized.
The Big Question
How does the statement that Jesus is “the first-fruits” of those that have passed on encourage you today? Are you confident in the fact that after you die you will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven? Are you confident that one day you will be reunited with loved ones that have already passed on? How does Jesus resurrection change your view of death?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.