Not in Vain!

What a waste of time!

You’ve said that after washing and drying your car, just before the gray clouds open up.  You’ve thought that after giving your children repeated instructions, only to hear them say, “Huh?”  But neither of those compare to the waste of time that would happen if Jesus never rose from the dead.

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins…But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (I Corinthians 15:17, 21).”

If Jesus is still gray and lifeless, you are still in your sins.  God will bring you to account for checking out porn.  He will remind you of every discontented thought – and you will pay.  He will pour out his wrath against you because you were wrathful with many others.  How terrible to still be “in your sins!”  What a miserable life!

But Jesus is alive!  Your sins are disconnected from your soul, as far as the east is from the west.  Why?  Because God called Jesus to account for your lust, greed, and loss of temper.  He died for them all.  He escorted them to the grave.  And then he rose again!  Your sins did not keep Jesus down for eternity.  Jesus is our “firstfruits” – the first installment of the resurrection harvest.  He lives!  And we will live too!

It’s not in vain to learn more about Jesus.  It’s not in vain to trust him as others mock him.  It’s not in vain to bring your children to Sunday School.  It’s not in vain to get baptized.  It’s not in vain to pray for the harvest of souls.

All of that would be in vain if Jesus wasn’t alive.  But he is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Prayer:  Almighty and everlasting God, you alone are the comfort of the sad and the strength of those who suffer.  Build us up with the assurance that you live, and we will live too.  Bring divine protection when we are innocent; give extra care to those who are suffering.  You alone have overcome the world, and all power and authority is yours.  When evil seems to triumph, help us to treasure the inheritance of your peace you have given us both now and forever.  You live…and we live with you, now and forever.  Amen.