“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits among those who have fallen asleep… For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20, 22 (NKJV)
People may not always want to hear the gospel, but they don’t realize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for their benefit. The gospel is a message of hope to the widow and widower, the orphan, the sick, the captive, the hungry, the poor, and many others.
Looking at the opening scripture, we see what the Bible says about those who sleep in Christ. It teaches that because Jesus Christ, our Lord, was the first to be raised from the dead, those who have died after Him are assured of being raised up from the dead as well.
What is the connection of this message to us now? It is the hope for everyone who has ever lost a child, a mother, a father, a friend, or any loved one in Christ—that they will see each other again, and this time, never to be separated. This is why Jesus died and rose from the dead.
Our Lord Jesus did not just rise from the dead just so we could tell stories about it. He rose to set an order in place, to establish a law that is irreversible. This is why Apostle Paul boldly said in 1 Corinthians 15:12, “…how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty.”
The Bible declares in Romans 11:16, “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.” This means that if the firstfruit among those who sleep—that is, Christ—was raised from the dead, then the branches, who are the heirs of salvation, will also rise from the dead. What happens to the root happens also to the branches. So, believe God that you will see your loved ones again, who slept in the Lord. Praise God!
Today’s Rhema
The gospel is a message of hope to the widow, the widower, and all others who are without hope!
Confession for the Day
Delightful and ever-living Father, oh what glory is in Your name and in the works that You do! You have given us hope for tomorrow concerning the dead in Christ, knowing that we do not lose them completely to death, but have gained our loved ones who sleep in Christ. We eagerly await the coming of Christ, as we all meet again, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
