Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
If we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are the most miserable people in the world. 1 Corinthians 15:19
ALMOST ANY LITTLE KID with a couple years of Sunday school under his belt can explain the highlights of the New Testament’s story of Easter: Jesus was crucified and then rose from the dead on the third day.
By the time that little kid reaches your age, he or she can grasp that the Easter story is more than just a nice Bible tale. God boldly foretold Christ’s resurrection in Old Testament prophecy, Christ actually stepped out of the tomb alive as the prophets predicted, and the risen Christ was seen by so many people that no one has succeeded in refuting it. You might be one of these students who has no trouble accepting the reality of Christ’s resurrection.
But have you ever wondered what your life would be like if Jesus hadn’t been raised from the dead? Below are several statements describing some of the harsh realities of life in a world where Christ never came out of the tomb. Check the one statement that would make you the most miserable in a life with no Easter.
_____ There would be no Easter bunny-and likely no Energizer bunny.
_____ There would be no such thing as “Spring Break.”
_____ Baskets of jelly beans wouldn’t play hide-n-seek with you.
_____ Easter lilies would be free agents looking for another holiday sponsor.
_____ Easter Island, in the South Pacific, might cease to exist.
_____ Youth groups would have no sunrise services at which to serve donuts.
_____ You and your friends would have absolutely zero hope of having your sins forgiven and spending eternity in heaven with God.
Did the last one catch you off guard? If Jesus hadn’t come back to life like he promised he would, people might stare at his mummified corpse in a museum somewhere-as a curiosity, not a cure for the world’s sin. The Bible clearly explains that it took the Crucifixion and the Resurrection to provide our forgiveness. Christ’s death paid the penalty for sin. But Christ’s resurrection freed us from the power of sin. If Christ were not alive, we would face all the trials, struggles, and sacrifices of the Christian life-and then die with no hope of heaven. What a waste!
REFLECT: Seriously-and personally: What would your life be like if Jesus had never come to save you from your sin?
PRAY: Tell Jesus about it in prayer.
