In this passage, Paul speaks to the centrality of Jesus’ resurrection in both the biblical story and in our own story. It is the resurrection of Jesus that informs our hope that death does not have the last word – that life, light, and love always win. It is the resurrection that helps us to believe that we do not have to wait until we die to see bodies healed, relationships restored, or passions renewed. What Paul is saying in this passage is that resurrection is real and it matters. It’s not just about what happens when we get to the pearly gates. It’s about living as if Jesus is alive within us and among us.
To what degree is Jesus’ resurrection important to your faith? What do you believe would have happened to the followers of Jesus if he had not been raised?
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the resurrection of Jesus, which breaks down any barriers we create between us and God.