Our future : the resurrection

13.03.2021

Saturday March 13, 2021

If it was from a purely human perspective that I fought against the beasts in Ephesus, what advantage do I get ? If the dead are not resurrected, then let's eat and drink, since tomorrow we will die. 1 Corinthians 15:32

For human reason, the dead cannot be resuscitated : death is an irreversible phenomenon. This is why the apostle Paul presents in this chapter the resurrection of Jesus as a historical fact supported by many testimonies perfectly verifiable at the time. This is proof that the resurrection is not a fable.

Paul then appeals to the common sense of his readers : if there is no resurrection from the dead, what good would it be for him to preach the gospel at the cost of so much risk and suffering ? Yes, if there is no resurrection, let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die.

Almost everything that men do, they do for the sake of some profit in the future. If the peasant works hard to prepare and sow his field, it is in the hope of the harvest. It is the same for Christians : their life on earth only really has meaning in the perspective of eternity, when they will hear the Lord say to them : Well, good and faithful slave ; you have been faithful in that which is little ; I will establish you over many : enter into the joy of your master (Matthew 25:21). There can be no greater satisfaction than having served the one who showed us such wonderful love !

Our life on earth, which lasts for such a short time, has no real value except with regard to eternity into which the resurrection (or the transformation of our body, if the Lord comes before our death) will introduce us. This is our true future, one for which it is well worth standing firm, unwavering, always abounding in the work of the Lord (v. 58).

It was because of the joy that was before him, beyond death, that Jesus endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). If his example seems inaccessible to us, consider that of the countless men and women of faith who lost their lives in the eyes of the world and won it for all eternity, because they wanted to please their Savior and Lord. These are the real winners !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)