That Resurrection Power!

Mike Hosey, an Elder

Paul was exceedingly good at pointing out the power of Jesus.  Never does Paul portray the Lord as weak, emaciated, or anything less than worthy of the title Lord. In his first letter to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians), he lays out some very profound truths about Jesus and the power of His resurrection.

Without the Resurrection of Jesus our Faith is in Vain: Not only does Paul argue that our faith is meaningless without the resurrection, he also argues that those of us who call ourselves Christians are more miserable or pitiable than all men if there is no resurrection.  This is because if Christ is not resurrected, then no one is. And if Christ is not resurrected, then He is not divine.  And if Christ is not divine, then we are still in our sins, yet trying to live holy lives, and for no tangible reason (1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:17, 1 Corinthians 15:19).

 

But Jesus Was, In Fact, Raised From the Dead:  And because he was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20) He is the fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:10). In fact, Jesus fulfills all the Jewish feasts! And this says a great deal about both His power, and His divinity.  Paul calls Jesus the firstfruits of God’s people for a reason.  The reason is that Jesus is raised as the first representative of saved humanity. And later, all of the rest of us who belong to Jesus will be raised in the same way!  What power!

Jesus will Subdue ALL of His Enemies:  Every enemy of God will submit to the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:25, 1 Corinthians 15:27).  The last enemy to be destroyed will be Death itself (1 Corinthians 15:26).  When that happens, death will no longer have any victory over the people of God.  Nor will it have any sting, because people will know to whom they belong.  And they will know that the death of their old corrupted bodies, will be the first step in getting new incorruptible heavenly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).  

So when you think about Easter and the saving power of His sacrifice, don’t forget the power of His resurrection, and the future you have because of it.