A sure hope

Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. – 1 Corinthians 1:20

Konrad Adenauer, former chancellor of West Germany, said, "If Jesus Christ is alive, then there is hope for the world. If not, I don’t see the slightest glimmer of hope on the horizon." Then he added, "I believe Christ’s resurrection to be one of the best-attested facts of history."

Christ’s resurrection and ours go together. So reasoned the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. And if Christ didn’t rise from the grave, what’s left? Empty preaching (v. 14), false witnesses (v. 15), a futile faith (v. 17), unforgiven sins (v. 17), no life after death (v. 18), and hopelessness (v. 19).

But Christ did rise from the grave. Paul asserted the proof for the resurrection in verses 1 through 11, listing many credible witnesses who saw the risen Lord: Peter (v. 5), 500 people (v. 6), all the apostles (v. 7), and Paul himself (v. 8).

When the Greek philosopher Socrates lay dying, his friends asked, "Shall we live again?" He could only say, "I hope so." In contrast, the night before author and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh was beheaded, he wrote in his Bible, "From this earth, this grave, this dust, my God shall raise me up."

If we trust in Christ as our Savior, we won’t say, "I hope so" about our own resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection gives us a sure hope. – Dennis De Haan

Rejoice in glorious hope!

Our Lord the Judge shall come

And take His servants up

To their eternal home. – Wesley

READ: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of our own.