SO WHAT IF JESUS IS RISEN???

HalleluYah! He is risen!! Jesus is risen from the dead!!! Oh, did He? So what???  My questions may sound provocative, if not scandalous and sacrilegious. Let me assure the reader that, I am one among the many, who are happy and thrilled, that our LORD is risen. What a glorious day it is!!!

What difference does this resurrection make to us, and our lives, as Christians? Paul writing to the Corinthian Church, says – “14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” – 1 Corinthians 15:14. In simple words, resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to all that the Bible talks about – “If Christ is not risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is risen, nothing else matters.” – Jaroslav Pelikan.

Paul goes on, in the same chapter, to explain why the resurrection of our LORD holds such significance. “17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” – 1 Corinthians 15:17. Can we now see the significance of the resurrection? How central it is for our faith, our future, and our everything as a Christian?

Writing further, Paul paints a grim picture of everyone who died, believing in Christ, if there was no resurrection – “18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” – 1 Corinthians 15:18. There is no hope whatsoever, for all those who died, and will die, believing in Christ, and all that He taught us.

Such a scenario is a hopeless situation, not only to all who died believing in Jesus, but to us also, who are alive, and believe in Christ – “19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” – 1 Corinthians 15:19. What a pitiable and miserable situation it would be? Surely, an inestimable tragedy.

Thankfully, the LORD is risen! He is risen indeed, and our hope is not a dead hope, but rather, a living and dynamic hope – thanks to the resurrection. HalleluYah!!! “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:3-9. HalleluYah!!!