Empty faith?

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. – 1 Corinthians 15v4

We have talked a lot about the focus of the cross over the last couple of weeks. “The foolishness of the cross,” and “Jesus and Him crucified,” have been the focus as Paul calls the Corinthian church to unity. If we look to the cross then we cannot help be unified.

Yet, what would have happened if the cross had been it? What if Jesus had died and lain in the tomb as His body slowly decayed faded into dust. Would his death alone have been enough? Would the sacrifice have sufficed?

Clearly not. Many people have given their lives for others through the years. What made Jesus different is that He not only gave His life and paid the price on the cross, He then went on to conquer death itself. If Christ did not rise then everything we preach and proclaim is empty. If Christ did not rise from the dead our faith would have only been in decent man who sought to die for His people.

But He did rise! In a fortnight’s time we will meet in our churches all over the world to remember and commemorate Jesus’ resurrection as the thing that makes our faith different. We call it “Easter,” but in reality it is “Resurrection Day!” Our faith is not empty. Our faith is in the King of kings and Lord of lords whose power is so great that He conquered death itself!

How petty my daily frustrations are in the light of the cross and the empty tomb.