Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
There's something about a name. A name can carry a lot of shame, a lot of guilt. Or a name can carry greatness. Think about when I say Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant or Michael Phelps. We think greatness. In our text today, we're reminded of how the story began when you and I entered the world. It actually started out pretty bad. And here's why. Because it says, "Just as death came into the world through a man." And that's a reference to Adam.
We Inherited the Sinful Nature of Adam
That means Adam sinned, and we've inherited the sinful nature of Adam. Now we struggle with sin. Now there's suffering, pain, addiction, strife, tension in relationships. We see that all over the world because we live in a fallen world. That's how the story started. It started with death and with sin. But the story didn't end there. It says this: "Now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another Man."
Who's the "another Man" in this text? It's a reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus comes on the scene and He gives us a new identity. How does He do that? Because we've inherited the sinful nature of Adam, now we need a Savior, because the Bible tells us in Romans chapter 6, verse 23 that the wages of sin is death. We need to be forgiven of sin. The only person who can forgive us is Jesus Christ, because He lived a perfect life, and He's the one that went to the cross and absorbed the wrath of God that you and I deserved.
Physical Resurrection
It says this: "Now the resurrection from the dead"—that resurrection is for believers who are in Jesus Christ. They will be physically resurrected one day. Like that day is coming where those who have said yes to Jesus, they will be resurrected. Death doesn't have the final say for the believer. Death is not the end. We transition into eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Resurrection Power
Not only do we have physical resurrection, we also have resurrection power. Paul is writing to Christians who wrestled with doubt. Let me explain. Verse 12, it says this: "But tell me this. Since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?" They're doubting that there will be a resurrection. Paul says this: "For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. If Christ has not been raised, then all of our preaching is useless and your faith is useless."
He's trying to tell them, without the resurrection, everything we do is useless. Like there wouldn't be a church. There wouldn't be all these ministries around the world. But he wants to tell them, "Hey, the resurrection is real. Not only will we be physically resurrected, we have resurrection power."
What That Means for Us
Here's what that means for us. Because Jesus rose from the dead, that means He's able—He's able to take away our anxiety or depression. He's able to help us in our addiction and not only help us, but help us defeat the addiction that we're wrestling with. I don't know what you're carrying today. It could be an addiction. Maybe you've lost a loved one and you're grieving and you're not sure how to navigate that. Maybe you're depressed or fighting hopelessness.
Can I just remind you? You carry someone's name and His name is Jesus. He gives us life. He gives us strength. I want to remind you, there's resurrection power. No matter what you're facing today. The call is to ask the Lord for help, is to draw near to Him. Because when we do that, He's going to draw near to us. We have resurrection power.
