A lot of people hear about the resurrection or read about it and think "that's a nice story. A good story even." We might believe that it happened however, the resurrection doesn't necessarily change us. We might not quite comprehend the magnitude of the resurrection. Or at least, not enough.  

           This resurrection ought to shape how we look at our futures. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says “Where is your victory, death? where is your sting?”  Can you say this with the same confidence that Paul does?

           Where is your hope if it isn’t in the resurrection? Is your hope in what God can do for me in this life? Is your hope for God to change your fortunes? Perhaps your hope is to get a better job, or better grades. Maybe your hope is for good kids and a secure future for them. Maybe it is good health for you and your family. These might be good things, but perhaps your hope is not necessarily in the resurrection.   

           If your hope is not in the resurrection, then you will still be afraid of death. You will still be afraid of failing in this life. Because if your hope is not in the resurrection, for you, this life is all there is. You will pursue your career and your money more than you will pursue Jesus and his kingdom. You will pursue your health and your comfort more than you will take up your cross and follow in the sufferings of Christ. You will pursue your earthly relationships more than you pursue your relationship with Christ. You will fear the opinions of man more than you fear God. If you fail in any of these, it will hurt you more than you realize, because you still fear the sting of death. You still do not have victory over death. 

          But what gives us this victory? How do we get rid of the sting? The resurrection of Jesus Christ.  How do we know that Jesus paid the price for our sin? The resurrection of Jesus Christ. How do we know we have new life and a new hope? The resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

          This Easter Sunday, may we be reminded of the victory and new life we have in the extraordinary resurrection of Jesus, and may it be your hope for all of life.

            許多人會聽聞過關於復活之事或讀過一些相關的書籍文章，他們會想“啊，這的確是一個很好的故事。” 我們也許相信復活的事的確曾經在歷史中出現，然而卻不一定會為我們的生命帶來改變。因而我們未必能夠真正完全理解復活的意義和影響是何等的深遠和廣大。又或是，至少我們對它的認識並不足夠。    

            但這復活之事理應塑造出我們面對未來應有的正確態度。哥林多前書 15: 55中保羅說：「死啊，你得勝的權勢在哪裡？死啊，你的毒鉤在哪裡？」你能夠擁有像保羅一般的堅定信心來說出這番話嗎？  

            若非建基於復活裡，你的盼望會是建立在什麼之上？你的盼望是否建立於神能夠在今生裡為我成就或達成的事有幾多？你的盼望是否神能改變你的命運？又或是你的盼望是能夠獲取一份更好的工作或更優異的成績？也許你的盼望是有孝順的兒女、他們擁有美好的前途和將來。或許是你自己及家人都能擁有健康。這一切都是美善的事，但你的盼望卻不一定是建基在復活裡。  

           倘若你的盼望並不是建基於復活裡，那麼你仍然會懼怕死亡。你仍然會害怕面對今生的失敗。因為如果你的盼望並不是在復活裡，對你來說，今生就是你一切所有的。你會追求你的事業和財富過於追求耶穌和祂的國。你會追求你的健康和舒適過於甘願背起你的十字架，並願意承擔跟隨主耶穌基督的苦難。你會追求個人的關係過於追求與耶穌基督的關係。你會忌諱別人的意見過於對神的畏懼。若果你在以上任何一種情況下跌倒，你所受的傷痛會比你所想像的更深，因為你仍然害怕死亡的毒鉤。你還沒有勝過死亡。   

          然而，什麼東西能使我們得勝？我們怎樣能夠脫離毒鉤？是靠着耶穌基督的復活。我們如何知道耶穌基督已為我們的罪付上代價？是藉着耶穌基督的復活。我們怎能知道我們擁有新的生命和盼望？是藉着耶穌基督的復活。    

          在這個復活節主日，讓我們緊記因着主耶穌基督的復活，祂為我們帶來勝利和新生命，亦為此成為萬物的盼望。 

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