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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. 21 For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, 22 for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23 But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

 

We are Christians. Therefore:

We are Easter people. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4)

We are 4th-day people. (“He is NOT here. He has been raised, just as He said.” --Matt. 28:6)

We are people whose lives are at once here and now and hidden with Christ, the eternal. (Colossians 3:3)

When the trials and struggles of this life bear us down and seek to steal our joy and hope, this is where we can return. Being a Christian means many things. But when we need hope in our lives, especially when it seems virtually impossible, let us remember this:

We are Easter people, we are 4th-day people, we are both living here in this world, and alive with God in Christ Jesus. Christ has defeated every enemy, even that last enemy which is death. When we look at the empty tomb and remember that He is NOT here, but has been raised, just as He said—we can remember that we, too, are raised with Him, because of his great mercy and grace. See the empty tomb and be uplifted.

Son of God, gracious Savior, we pray as ones who have been brought to new life in you. We bow before you as those whom you, O God, have raised up. We love you with hearts full of the love you first poured into us. Give us lightness and hope in our lives, that we would feel compelled to share the Good News of your resurrected life with others. This we pray in your holy name. Amen.

Pastor Beverly Struckmann

pastorbev@livinglord.org