If, But

If Christ is not raised, I and every other preacher may as well quit preaching. We have nothing of value to say. All we have believed is a lie. Jesus is dead and powerless. We have no hope of life. Our loved ones who died in Christ are perished.

However, He is risen, and He lives. Those who came to the tomb to anoint His body were asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but, is risen.”

Two popular images of Jesus are a baby in a manger and a body on the cross. Both, taken by themselves, are images of weakness.

He is no longer a babe; suffering made Him our perfect Savior (Hebrews 2:8-9). He lives and makes intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). When we think of Jesus’ death, even in taking the Lord’s Supper, we should not leave Him in the grave. He is risen; He lives. He conquered Satan, Hell and death.

Through Him who loved us, we are more than conquerors.