And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:14-20 NKJV
I know Jesus’ resurrection didn’t happen on April 5th of our 21st century Western calendar, but it did happen, and it’s a big deal. We desperately need to remember the event that is at the heart of our existence. Paul reminds the Corinthians that if Christ is still in the grave, then our whole Christian life is worthless, we are still in our sins, the dead have no hope, and we are to be pitied. Wow!
The resurrection is a monumental event worthy of a special day for remembering, contemplating, recalibrating, rejuvenating, and celebrating. After His resurrection, Jesus took time to appear to His apostles. There, “he presented himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). He wanted to leave no room for doubt: He’s alive!
The resurrection is the central tenet of the Christian faith. (Romans 10:9). It declares Jesus to be the Son of God (Romans 1:4) and assures us that there will be a day of reckoning (Acts 17:31). The same power that raised Him transforms us (Romans 8:11), makes us alive with Him (Colossians 2:13), and seated us with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
The resurrection is the moment in history from which everything else we do as Christians flows. It is the reality behind every decision, every plan, and every hope. It’s the source of our new birth, the guarantee of our inheritance, and the power that keeps us through every trial all the way to eternity. Peter said it well:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
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