"Hope Beyond"
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 1 Corinthians 15:19
People often live only for this life. They deny any life beyond the grave. They hope and dream, make plans and carry them out, but only for this life. They may secure an outstanding education, succeed in business, gain great wealth, receive national honors, and help other people. But the hopes fade and the sand falls to the bottom of the hourglass.
Apparently some in Corinth were questioning whether there is such a thing as a resurrection from the dead. Paul points out that our very faith hangs in the balance on this question. With ringing certainty he declares, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). “Firstfruits” implies that more is to come. Because Christ, “the firstfruits,” died for us and rose physically from the dead on the third day, we who believe in Him will also rise physically from the dead on Judgment Day – and thus complete the harvest, so to speak. We have hope not only here, but also beyond this life.
Hope beyond the grave through Christ’s resurrection leads us to live hopefully here. We seek God’s purpose for our lives, tell others about His resurrection, and live daily with the quiet assurance that He will take us to heaven. Easter lives on all year long. Eternity beckons with the open, inviting arms of our risen and ascended Lord. Thank God for the hope beyond!
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your resurrection which assures me of eternal life with you beyond this earthly life. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 64 Psalms 70 John 6:1-21
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