Holy Week Day 2

 Day 2 

Monday 

First Corinthians 15 is one of the most foundational chapters in all of the New Testament; it could be called a “Christianity 101” passage. Paul’s argument in the passage is simple and clear: without eternity, Christianity makes no sense. 

If all that sin has broken won’t be fixed forever, then there is no hope now and no hope in the hereafter. Without a guaranteed eternity, our faith in Christ is robbed of its meaning and power: “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (v.19) 

As Christians, we have staked our entire life on the promise of a radical and complete renewal, accomplished by the resurrection of Jesus. That eternal renewal is coming, and in the meantime, there are some specific ways that the resurrection of Christ and the hope of heaven makes a difference in how we live today. 

1. The resurrection of Christ and the hope of heaven clarify what is truly important in this life.

Yes, all of our relational, situational, and physical struggles are important in some way, but they must not be viewed as the essence of what life is about. God has not promised to deliver “the good life” of predictable health, an easy marriage, compliant children, and a satisfying job. 

The most important thing in life is that we have help with and victory over our biggest and most abiding problem: sin. God promises to work on us; he is with you, in you, and for you. The resurrection guarantees the progressive defeat of sin in the here and now and the final deliverance from it in eternity.

2.  The resurrection of  Christ and  the hope of  heaven  will radically  change  the  way  you  approach  the  responsibilities, difficulties, and opportunities of your daily life. 

Eternity takes the vanity out of  your living in the here and now.  Instead of  getting disappointed and discouraged  because  our  efforts  aren’t  bringing  us  momentary  pleasure  or  because  others  are  not affirming us,  eternity gives us big-picture motivation. 

We  have  the  motivation  to  stay  focused  on  doing  what  is  good,  right,  and  true  because  our  living  in the  here  and  now  fits  with  the  big  plan  of  what  God  is  doing  and  where  He  is  taking  us.  In  the  face  of hassles,  we tell ourselves that this is not our final destination. 

3.  The resurrection of  Christ and  the hope of  heaven  teach you delayed gratification. 

Western  culture  is  an  instant  culture,  but  the  hope  of  heaven  calls  us  to  a  different  worldview.  In  God’s plan,  waiting is not an interruption or obstruction of  the plan; waiting is part of  the plan.  As we are waiting  for  the  eternity  that  is  the  promise  of  God’s  grace,  we  are  not  just  passing  the  time:  waiting  is about becoming.  Every moment of  waiting is a divine tool for personal restoration and preparation. 

Isaiah  61:3  beautifully  captures  this  process,  “that  they  may  be  called  oaks  of  righteousness,  the planting  of  the  Lord,  that  He  may  be  glorified.”  Oak  trees  don’t  sprout  up  and  mature  overnight.  It takes  scores  of  years  to  bring  a  mighty  oak  to  maturity,  but  when  it  is  mature,  it  lives  with  a  strength and splendor that few plants in God’s creation have. 

Through his resurrection,  Jesus has purchased for us not only the guarantee of  life after death but also  the  reality  of  life  before  death.  By  grace,  may  you  and  I  be  as  strong  and  as  durable  through  the seasons and storms of  life as the mighty oak tree is! 

Scripture Reading: 

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 The Resurrection of the Dead

12 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? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.