As Village Christian’s spiritual theme for the year, True, has focused on answering the suitable question for our times – “What is true?” – Holy Week offers the optimal opportunity to reflect on the truth of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul did just that in his first letter to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Some members of the church began to believe and teach that there was no resurrection from the dead. That, perhaps, when a Christian dies they just enter into some spiritual ephemeral experience. It’s not too unlike our own times. There is no lack of people today who have all kinds of ideas about spirituality or about Christianity or about Jesus Himself. In a time when the phrase “my truth” is all too common, it seems we have not moved beyond ancient times, when people would often craft a god from their own imaginations and their own hands (Isaiah 44:17).
But Paul will have none of these wanderings from the vital truth of the resurrection. He says plainly to them:
“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.” – 1 Corinthians 15:13-14
It’s easy from a secular perspective to think that religion in general, and Christianity in particular, have a lot to offer just on the surface; community and a sense of belonging, good morals to keep society in line, and promises for a hopeful future. It can be easy to think that “religion” is good for Village Christian School as well. After all, we want moral students who make good choices and have a hopeful outlook on their futures.
The problem is, all of this can be obtained without the resurrection. It doesn’t matter if Jesus really rose from the dead with “religion.” But Paul makes the argument to the Corinthians that their Christian faith is in vain, worthless, if Jesus didn’t really rise from the dead. He’s no mere pragmatist! Again he says,
“…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” – 1 Corinthians 15:17
Christianity without the resurrection of Jesus is worthless. If the tomb isn’t actually empty, it’s a lie. And if our faith is worthless, there is no forgiveness of sin. We are all “still in our sins.” There is no solution for the wrongs done to us, and no solution for the wrongs we have done to others.
But the wonderful part of this week and Easter is that the resurrection is true. It’s good news. It’s good news that is objective reality and all true. Jesus really did rise from the dead. The tomb really is empty. Hundreds of eyewitnesses testified to this truth, and later some of these eyewitnesses wrote it down for us in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15:6). And that means everything is different. Life is not up to the whims of culture or whoever is in power. There is a sacrifice for all our sins. Every wrong done to us will find redemption one day. And there is a glorious future awaiting all who trust in Jesus.
And because it’s all true, we get to say with the Apostle and all others celebrating Easter this week:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.,
Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?,
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” – 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57
Happy Easter! Christ is risen!
Pastor DJ Jenkins
VCS Spiritual Life Director