I Am the Resurrection and the Life
(1 Cor. 15:12~19)

Jesus performed many miracles during his earthly ministry. In particular, the event of raising Lazarus is very important. Four days have passed since Lazarus died when Jesus came to his tomb. Jesus wanted to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said to take away the stone and called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Then, Lazarus came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen. This event is a sign of Jesus’ resurrection.

1. People who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection
1) During the earthly ministry, Jesus publicly said that He will die on the cross and be raised to life on the third day. (Luke 9:22)
2) The Jewish leaders and the Roman Governor Pilate ordered soldiers to securely guard Jesus’ tomb, to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and telling people he had risen from the dead. (Matt. 27:62~66)
3) Jesus conquered death and was resurrected in three days just as He said. Then, he met many people including His disciples. (Matt. 16:9~11)

2. The victory brought by Jesus’ resurrection
1) Jesus abolished sin and death through conquering death and resurrection. (Rom. 5:12)
2) Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as another Counselor. (John 14:16~17)
3) Jesus cured every disease and abolished curses. (Gal. 3:13)

3. Why do you say that there is no resurrection?
1) If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. (1 Cor. 15:12~13)
2) And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Cor. 15:14~15)
3) In addition, we who are preaching Christ will be false witnesses before God and we would also die by sin and all those who have fallen asleep in Christ would be lost. (1 Cor. 15:16~19)

4. The Lord, the firstfruit of the resurrection
1) Jesus became the firstfruit of the resurrection. People who believe in Jesus will clothe themselves with resurrection because they are in Christ when He comes. (1 Cor. 15:20~22)
2) Jesus’ death is our death. Jesus’ resurrection is our resurrection.

We sow with things that rot and rise again with things that do not rot, we sow with shameful things and rise again with glory, we sow with the weak and rise again strong, and we sow the physical body and rise again with our spiritual bodies. We who believe in Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, live with a hope in the resurrection.