1 Corinthians 15:19,20–Our Hope in Christ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. What sort of hope do you have in your heart? I am sure that you have many hopes in life, hopes concerning yourself, your family and your country. But do you have any hope in death? Do you have that sort of confidence which will carry you to the grave, through the dark valley and into a happy eternity? How few really have this sort of hope! This text though shows that it is possible. Paul’s words enable the believer “to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1Pet.3:15). This is the great chapter in the Bible on the resurrection of the body. It is a key doctrine. The apostle Paul begins by giving a summary of the gospel. He then gives numerous instances of Christ’s personal resurrection appearances to His disciples. Sadly there were those in the church at Corinth who denied the resurrection of the body. Perhaps they had been influenced by the Sadducees, who followed this error (Acts 23:8). Notice that the Sadducees also denied the immortality of the soul. The two usually go together. Paul shows that there are many grievous conclusions which follow upon the denial of the resurrection. The last he gives is this. Christians are then the most miserable of men! They are truly to be pitied. Understand this, if there actually is no resurrection then believers are deluded. Moreover they willingly endure hardships, conflicts and even persecution – and to what end? It is all pointless ultimately. They have set their hope on a Saviour who will bring them good, and although they may find a certain contentment in their religion here, they are no better off at the last. They might as well follow the spirit of the world, “let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die” (v.32). How does Paul counter this? Firstly, we see that the Christian has a sure hope. Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, writes with strong conviction. He says: “now is Christ risen from the dead.” Just as He died for our sins “according to the scriptures” (v.3), so He rose again the third day “according to the scriptures” (v.4). The basis for believing the one is identical to the other: they stand or fall together. While there are many good evidences and logical arguments pointing to the resurrection, the only resting place for saving faith is the inspired Word of God. How precious to read there that Jesus “shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). Secondly, the Christian indeed has an eternal hope. In an expressive figure we are told of what Christ is to His people as regards the resurrection from the dead. By His own resurrection Jesus has become the “firstfruits” of those who are now asleep in the dust of the earth. In Israel the people were to offer to God the firstfruits of their wheat harvest. Green corn was presented to the Lord in thankfulness for a successful crop (Lev.2:14). It was the token of the full harvest to be gathered in shortly. The Lord Jesus Christ has taken our humanity into glory. Presently the bodies of believers are still resting in their graves – but they are united to Him. Jesus is described as “the first begotten of the dead” (Rev.1:5) – first in order and dignity – and because He rose in “the power of an endless life” (Heb.7:16) it is certain that His people shall too. Finally, the Christian has a joyful hope. We might say that there must be many miserable ministers and bishops in the church today, for many of them deny the literal resurrection of Christ! A sour or glum believer is a walking contradiction. Yes, we are “in heaviness through manifold temptations,” as we struggle with the sin and unbelief in our own hearts and other trials. But in Christ we already rejoice with “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1Pet.1:6-8). Friend, do you have this hope that “maketh not ashamed” (Rom.5:5)? Hope placed in Jesus Christ can only fail if Christ Himself can fail. That though is an impossibility. Can the omnipotent God fail in His purpose? The very thought is a blasphemous one. Seek then from God this living hope of a perfect and blessed life with the Lord, a hope begotten in your soul by the very power that raised Jesus Himself from the dead.