|
Thought on "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." (1 Cor.15:14 RSV) Later, in the same chapter St. Paul says "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." (v.19) To have followed the star all our days and find at the end that it sets in eternal night; the very thought is unendurable. Some in high positions tell us that this is all there is in it; there never was a resurrection and no mighty Divine power waiting behind the Veil for the moment when it is time to begin the rescue of the world from the impasse it has created for itself. St. Paul knew better; triumphantly he says (v.20 RSV) "but in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." His resurrection is the guarantee of ours—all. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (v.22) We may not know—we do not know—with clear perception just what does lie beyond the curtain of death but that the future does hold life, life abundant, life free from the disabilities and injustices and sorrows of the present, we do know and in that confidence we can go in the assurance that, as he said (v.54) "death is swallowed up in victory." AOH |
