1 Corinthians 15:16-19

 

Many of you have likely seen Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ”. I haven’t yet but I was struck by one line in an article describing the movie. In the nationally syndicated article the writer said that “The Passion”, chronicling the final 12 hours before Christ’s death on the cross, depicted the “seminal event in Christianity”. In other words, it is the death of Christ on the cross on which we stake our claim as Christians.

 

As we approach Easter help us to remember that it is not the death of Jesus on the cross that sets Christians apart from others. It is our knowledge that Jesus defeated the cross and rose from grave that separates us from worldly belief. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he goes further. Paul says that if we profess belief in Christ but doubt the truth of the resurrection, “we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1Cor 15:19b NIV)

 

There is great joy in heaven whenever someone professes Christ as personal Savior but He never promised us that the rest of our lives on this earth would be easy. Usually when we accept the Holy Spirit, sinful aspects of our lives are revealed to us. Before we began our walk with Him we were unaware, in the dark about our actions. But as Paul points out, once we know the truth about the resurrection we best not deny it!

 

It is through the cross though that we have great hope. Knowing that Christ has risen and that He will come again gives us hope for this life and the life to come. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, while we weep for your Son on the cross, we thank you for the hope that his resurrection brings. We thank you for the wonderful gift of the great Counselor, the Holy Spirit to reveal this truth to us. Help us to stay strong in this truth and faithful to your word. Amen

--Ben Ball