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? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 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. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
A couple weeks ago we visited Adullam Park/Horvat Midras (about 19 miles southwest of Jerusalem in the Shephelah region), which contains a rolling-stone tomb from the Roman period, similar in style to what Jesus was laid in. A number of years ago it was vandalized, but it has recently been partially restored. (For views before the vandalism, see here)
The resurrection of Jesus is at the core of Christianity, as the Apostle Paul laid out in the passage above. Any future hope hinges on the resurrection. The resurrection means living obedient lives now for God and continuing to live after we die. The resurrection changes everything.
This doesn’t mean life will be easy. To the contrary, there are many enemies of the risen Savior. People have been dying for following the Messiah and because of their belief in this resurrection. We read about it in the news today. As Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20b). This is why it is important to stand firm together.
He is risen!