Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

—1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (TNIV)

Paul continues his teaching about the Resurrection in today’s passage. Here he reminds us that some will not taste death, that the New Creation will come upon us in an instant and those who are alive at the time will be transformed immediately and equipped with new resurrection (spiritual) bodies that are fitted to live in the New Creation. Then death will be no more, death will have lost its power forever because God will have redeemed his good but fallen creation and creatures. It is a wondrous vision, full of joy and hope. It is available to anyone who is in Christ.

Paul ends his discussion of the Resurrection by reminding the Corinthians (and us) to let our resurrection hope strengthen and encourage us. Life has new purpose and meaning. So does creation. So do our bodies because all will be redeemed fully and finally when the Lord returns in power and glory. Nothing we do in this world is in vain as long as we work faithfully for the Lord. Yes, hardships and setbacks and sorrows will continue to exist because we live in a broken and fallen world. But these will not have the last say. Life and wholeness will. Thanks be to God in our Lord Jesus Christ!

This Easter season, I pray you will think on this and let God use it to work on you so that you might begin to have your mind renewed in the spirit of Christ. Then you will begin to understand how powerful and joyous a resurrection hope is. Alleliua! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleliua!