Third Sunday after Easter – Friday

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. – 1 Corinthians 15:22.

Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.  For by one man came death, and by one Man comes the resurrection of the dead.  The one man by whom death came is the first man, Adam.  Through his sin, death, the wages of sin, first entered into the world.  And death passed upon all men, for in Adam, the progenitor of the human race, all have sinned.  And death rules with dread power, extending its power into eternal death, eternal damnation.  And the one Man by whom comes the resurrection of the dead is the second Man, Christ.  Through His substitutional righteousness, the free gift came upon all men unto the justification of life.  Righteousness and resurrection from the dead and eternal life are at hand for all people because Christ is the Substitute for all sinners.  Eternal blessedness now beckons invitingly from beyond the grave.  This is how it is: Christ, our Savior and Substitute, has risen from the dead and become the first-fruits of them that sleep in the bowels of the earth.  Christ died for us, and conquered death for us, and as the first-fruits, He rose from the dead and entered into eternal life – as the first-fruits.  All that are His own, through faith, must and shall follow Him in the resurrection to come, and enter life eternal with Him.  “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  O child of Adam and heir of death by nature, continue to abide in “the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).

PRAYER – My Lord and Savior, who, like the first sweet little flower of spring, did lift Thy head from the icy pall of winter, grant that, to my dying day, I may continue to be among those who, through faith, are rooted in Thee and grown together with Thee, that I, too, may rise from the dead, and bloom in eternal life with all that are Thine.  Amen.

Jesus lives, the victory’s won; death no longer can appal me;

Jesus lives, death’s reign is done, from the grave Christ will recall me.

Brighter scenes will then commence; this shall be my confidence.

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Jesus lives, for me He died; hence will I to Jesus living;

pure in heart and act abide, praise to Him and glory giving;

freely God doth aid dispense; this shall be my confidence.

(Hymn 201, st. 1, 3; TLH)