“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is in vain. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17)

So I asked myself the question, what if Jesus had not been resurrected? What would that have looked like? Consider this: Sunday morning would have been just like the day before. The stone would have still covered the tomb’s opening. Sure, the disciples would have discussed the events for a while, but Jesus would have faded into memory. The Jews would have continued offering sacrifices for the sins of the people. We would still be waiting for the promised Messiah. Paul would have never encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. We wouldn’t have the New Testament writings or the hope and encouragement they bring. Life would feel hopeless because this would be all there is—no promise of eternal life, no forgiveness of sins, we would simply live day to day by our own rules.

But thanks be to God, Jesus is alive! He did rise and conquer death! We have the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. In that, our hearts can be filled with joy and rejoice, as Matthew 28:6 proclaims, “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

A Heart For Jesus