Seventh Sunday after Epiphany: Epistle, 1 Corinthians 15:30-42              

1 Corinthians 15:30-42

Just one small verse from the reading today. Set down in the middle of our text is a quote which Paul lifts from Isaiah 22, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die (v. 32)! I think we have all heard this line, if not used it in some modern context. But here Paul is in strong defense mode and he is making sure that the young Christian congregation in Corinth gets the most pivotal of all teaching nailed down, namely, Jesus is physically risen from the dead. Miss that, and nothing else really matters.

So whence comes this quote? If we are good Bible readers, we’ll go back to the dear old prophet and read the quote in context. And we see Jerusalem there is in a mess. A mess for absolute survival against aggressive enemies. Guess what? It’s no different in Corinth. Paul is contending for the life—the eternal life of those he so dearly loves. Truth is on the line and our enemy has picked a fight.  “The struggle is real,” is a phrase we’ve heard in the news over the years pertaining to civil rights concerns in America. Well, the struggle in which Paul is embroiled is a more critical struggle yet.

So the quote from Isaiah simply says this, “If Jesus is not raised, then live like hell. It won’t really make any difference. Believe whatever you want. Do whatever you want.” Well it does make a difference, and Isaiah’s words bring that truth to light.  Little did Isaiah know, I’m sure, that his words would defend the resurrection of the Savior he so faithfully awaited and proclaimed 700 years before His birth.

The struggle is real. Whose side are you on?