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12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. 15 We 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. (1 Corinthians 15:12-20 NRSV)
Not a day goes by that my mind goes to the face and memory of a dear departed friend or colleague. The list is too long to list here, but suffice it to say that I am forever thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for me, gave you and me victory over sin and death, and all we have to do is believe and accept. One friend and colleague always had a ready smile and positive comment on all things. He himself had suffered much in his life and ministry, yet he had a ready ear, an awesome smile and a positive outlook on life. Two of my friends shared realistic perspectives on all things political and religious. Both died way too young; one of a long illness, the other of a heart attack while in the hospital. And of course I think daily of my mother, father, my grandmother, the only one I knew; my dear mother-in-law who loved me so much who from the moment we met until her death I was, for all practical purposes, her son. Their memories while making me a bit sad, still give me hope because of their faith and lives in Jesus. I believe in my heart that I will see them again one day.
In today's passage, the Apostle Paul is sharing his faith with a community deeply affected by death. Paul's message from the start was that Jesus was coming again soon. As the days, weeks. and months, passed, the people, who were losing loved ones to persecution and arrests, began to ask, "Define soon." Paul understood the questions of the people and so he is moved to write this letter to the believers in Corinth; he was hearing of those believers who are now doubting all that Paul had shared about life and death in Jesus, so his first statement is powerful and to the point: If our faith message is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, how can anyone, in the faith, say that there is no resurrection of the dead? His logic: "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain." He goes on to say, we might even be guilty of lying about God; for we have testified then changed our testimony about Christ. This truth is that the resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our hope and our reason for rejoicing, not only during Epiphany but throughout the entirety of our lives.
This Epiphany, we are invited to reflect on the profound reality of the resurrection. Christ’s victory over death is not merely an abstract theological concept but a transformative reality that changes the way we live. It is the ultimate revelation of God’s love and power, and it is the reason we can live with hope, even in the face of suffering and loss.
This truth brings light to our own lives. In the midst of the darkness and suffering of this world, we know that the resurrection is a guarantee of a future hope. The Epiphany of the resurrection reveals to us that death is not the final word. Christ’s triumph over the grave means that death has been defeated, and we are invited to live in the power of that victory, both now and forever.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your resurrection. Through Your victory over death, You have given us new life and hope. Help us to live in the light of this truth, knowing that our faith is not in vain, and our future is secure in You. As we celebrate this Epiphany season, reveal to us the full power of Your resurrection, and let it transform our hearts and lives. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: As you meditate on the resurrection today, consider how the reality of Christ’s victory over death changes the way you live. How can you live with hope, even in difficult circumstances, knowing that Christ has conquered death? Take a moment today to reflect on the resurrection, and let it fuel your faith and joy as you walk in the light of Christ.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
