1 Corinthians 15:19-20, Now Is Christ Risen

1 Corinthians 15:19-20 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

The Christian faith is an objective faith in the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the object of our faith. This is the substance of the Christian faith. And what is the significant truth to be conveyed? Jesus Christ died and rose again from the dead the third day. The significant truth is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He is alive. He overcame death for us. He conquered death to live forevermore. If this is not true then men indeed is miserable.

This is the key message to a dying world where death remained an impasse, an enigma, a frightening separation into an unknown, an inescapable reality. Whenever we go to a wake, attend a funeral, we are confronted with this inevitable truth of a coming death sentence which is being passed upon all mankind from the youngest to the oldest. None can escape. 10 out of 10 will have to face the prospect of death, enter the door of darkness, as it were.

The Christian faith provides the solution to the problem of death. There is a blessing of God’s power that the Christian faith is conveying to the world that can cause dead and decayed and decaying cells to come alive again. There is a heavenly power that has been unleashed to resurrect a dead man. This is the truth of the Christian faith. And we have in the record of Scriptures – men who have been eye-witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. They saw the resurrected Christ. And this power of the resurrection can be applied to save a dying man from the prospect of eternal death and give to him the prospect of eternal life.

The Christian hope is real and truthful because Jesus indeed rose from the dead. We rejoice therefore in this truth. Amen.