1 Corinthians 15:12-26 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? Verse 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; Verse 14and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. Verse 15We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ-whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. Verse 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. Verse 17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Verse 18Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. Verse 19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Verse 20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. Verse 21For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; Verse 22for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. Verse 23But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Verse 24Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. Verse 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Verse 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Devotion
A representative is someone who serves as an example for others, one who is qualified to serve as an authorized agent. One might suppose that a misrepresentative is one who does not serve as an example or who refuses to serve as an agent.
As followers of Christ we are called to service, not disservice. There is no place better to begin faithful service than by proclaiming the news of resurrection. Of all God’s tender mercies we have experienced during our Lenten journey, none is greater than this Easter message. Christ has been raised and our faith is validated. We are free, therefore, to be God’s representatives: to serve one another and to live forever.
Prayer
Almighty God, heavenly Father, of your tender mercy you did give your only Son to die upon the cross for our redemption; and by his glorious resurrection we experience life and joy now and forever. May we hold fast to that faith and share it with others so that all may live. Amen.