“We can go first, and we can go last” is a mantra I’ve taught my sons to say since they were little. My goal is for them to have the confidence to be leaders when required and the humility to be followers when necessary.
We all want to lead the charge when something is easy or exciting. But what about when it’s daunting or dangerous? We don’t want to go first, then. Often, we don’t want to go at all.
“You go first,” is whispered on the precipice of peril. “I’m right behind you” is most often spoken with bated breath. Yet, as we stare into the dark cavern of death, Jesus gives us a reason to lay aside our anxiety. Through His resurrection, He said, essentially, “Don’t worry. I’ll go first.”
Though no other man had faced death and lived to tell the story (at least not for long), Jesus changed the paradigm. When Christ burst from the tomb on resurrection morning, He pardoned the death sentence of all who claim Him as King. Instead of forever death, we receive eternal life.
It is good to look at the cross and thank Jesus for taking your punishment for sin. The cost He paid to redeem you was high. He has earned a lifetime (and beyond) of your praise. But consider this: the resurrection was not an afterthought. It’s no less a part of the miraculous salvation Jesus has secured for your sake than the penalty for your sins paid at the crucifixion.
Paul said it this way, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone” (1Corinthians 15:17–19).
The resurrection gives us a right-now hope and a hope that extends beyond life as we know it. Because the penalty for sin is death (Romans 3:23), Jesus had to feel the sting of it. Because everything is under His feet (Ephesians 1:22), He couldn’t let death have the final word.
Unless Christ comes again, you and I will both have to stare into the dark opening of death and step into it. When that moment comes, we may feel afraid or unsure. Our sin-bent hearts may wonder, “How can I know there is safety on the other side?”
Here’s how: Jesus faced the enemy of death and emerged victorious. He went first so that your sin couldn’t sentence you to death. Take heart today, follower of Jesus. Yours is not a worthless faith, after all. Jesus, your sinless Savior, is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1Corinthians 15:20). And where there are first fruits, there will always be seconds.
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49 thoughts on "Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours"
What a great thought, “I’ll go first”
Thank you Lord Jesus for going first.
I read in a commentary that when Paul writes by the twelve, he uses the term as a figurative title. At the first meeting of the resurrected Jesus with His disciples, Thomas was absent and Judas had killed himself. But they still were known as the twelve.
“Perhaps the term twelve is used here merely to point out the society of the apostles, who, though at this time they were only eleven, were still called the twelve, because this was their original number.”
@AimeeRogers Matthias replaced Judas:)
Matthias replaced Judas:)
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Praying for you, Sarah!
@COURTNEY so sorry to hear about season of grief and suffering. You’re a strong person for being to able to go through all of that. I pray God continues to give you the strength to get though everything. In these hard times sometimes we forget how strong we really are. Praying for you. @DOROTHY praying for your sister and her continued healing! I’m sure it was a little scary/ confusing to see your sister moved from her room. Praying she gets stronger everyday.
@COURTNEY so sorry to hear about season of grief and
I have a question. The reading said “and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. – 1 Corinthians 15:5” wouldn’t that be the 11 since Judas committed suicide after turning on Jesus?
This perspective and truth about death has brought me so much peace! Jesus went first! Lord, thank you for going before us. Thank you for defeating death and giving us eternal life!!
❤️❤️❤️
The first temptation of mankind was about food (a fruit from a forbidden tree). The first temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness was also about food (bread). Satan gave temptation of bread to the Bread of Life/the Author of Life. The first event, they fell for it. This reminds me of the warning in Philippians 3:19 “their belly is their god” …may God hep us. Yet, this is not just any ordinary fruit, but the fruit that will give you knowledge, there is an intellectual engagement here. What a sale pitch…beware! BUT Jesus held on to his hunger/commitment while being fed/strengthened spiritually by the word of God. “Man does not live by bread alone. Rather, he lives on every word that comes from the mouth of the Eternal One”. The inner man (spirit) when fed by God can totally sustain the outward man (the flesh). My husband usually gets “hangry”, his temper is on a different level when hungry. Sometimes it is just ridiculous that a sandwich would calm him into a sweet puppy. I am praying for him. This really made me think how the Lord mentions fasting for the sake of self discipline/self control over the temper and demands of the flesh. When fasting, all kinds of thoughts and irritations arise, but when reading scriptures and asking God’s grace to sustain in the fast, strangely all those vanish. Glory be to God who gives us spiritual food so we can overcome temptations of the devil.
Praying for you dear she’s (DOROTHY, TRACI, SARAH D., TAYLOR, COURTNEY).
@Leann Allen: loved the questions you posed within marriage context, surely there is a perspective shift and that is really wise of you.
Be blessed dear sisters.
I have always had a fear of death, ever since I was a little girl. I pray that I would allow the promise of an after life to melt this fear in my heart. ❤️
I love that mantra! Jesus absolutely led first in the hard things and humbly went last as the Good Shepherd. I want to lead like that! I think I’ve been consistently backing down from the hard things lately and I want to break that pattern. I am a newlywed, so I’m navigating ideals and expectations with my wonderful godly husband. We’re learning what Servant Leadership looks like now as husband and wife, and even though we both have been living it before, this is a brand new context! How do I apply it as a wife? How do I encourage my husband while not excusing myself from responsibility?
@Sarah D. Praying for you girl! You’re a warrior and so strong for pushing through. I pray God continues to gives you a new opportunity soon!
You can go first or you can go last. What a great reminder as I often feel like it’s easier to do as the crowd does. I experienced this yesterday as a friend and I had planned to go rafting in the morning. She wanted to go at 9 am but my church doesn’t get out until 9:30. I felt it would have been easier to just skip church instead of asking to adjust the time a little bit. Instead I simply asked if she was okay with meeting at 10 and she happily agreed. I felt a sense of guilt since she is not a church goer and I was being inconvenient to her. Happy Monday ladies I hope it’s a great week.
I needed, needed, needed this today…I am in a season of grief and suffering. My fathers health, my best friend dying in her sleep, and my friends mother passing away three days ago. This was exactly what my heart needed to hear as all the people I am concerned with are believers, and while I have comfort in knowing they are with Christ and that God has my father in his hands…its overwhelming for my human heart and head. But Praise the Lord for this devotional and reminder of what Christ did on the cross for us. Thank you Erin for this and the words God placed on your heart to deliver this message.
Praying for you Sarah D.
I, too, am so grateful for the Living Hope we have in Jesus. There aren’t proper words or thoughts to even express how thankful i am for this devotion this morning. He is very good!
Struggling today. There was such a loud thunderstorm last night and I didn’t get much sleep at all. My brain is mush!
Dear sisters, thank you for all your prayers. I’m sitting at sister’s bedside writing this after reading it to her, I know it is what she and I both needed to hear, Scriptures and devotion, to help us get through this difficult time. They have moved her out of ICU and into a step-down of sorts area. Boy was I surprised when I walked in and found her in a different room — let me start by saying my sister and I are Caucasian women,I went to her old room, there in the bed was an African-American man — I went to the desk and asked where my sister was? I went to her room talked briefly with her and then went and texted my brothers to ask them about the room because I thought they had been there when they had moved her. Well I found out she wasn’t moved until after my brothers had left. My sister is less alert and I see her strength decreasing every day.
Amen!!
If Christ’s story ended in death- so would ours!!! So grateful it does NOT!! Have a great week sisters!
I loved Erin’s introduction….”to have the confidence to be leaders when required and the humility to be followers when necessary”. As a middle-age woman who works among very young adults this one is hard to swallow sometimes. Sometimes even with my own children. But God… May HE help me to be that leader, “spiritual leader,” when it’s required of me, and yet humble myself and swallow my pride when it’s necessary for me to a a follower even when it’s being asked of someone whom I’m old enough to be their parent. Happy Monday sweet She’s!
Nancy S…this is exactly the song I started singing this morning too! ❤️
Good morning ladies, I’m sorry to come on here continually asking for prayers, but I appreciate them so much. Unfortunately took a sick day today from work…I probably could have pushed through. I’m really just getting worn out at this job. I want to continue being a good employee, but I really want to leave this job. Haven’t heard back from the preschool assistant position yet. I talked to my dad this morning which was encouraging. Every job has pros and cons. But I really just want to find another job that aligns with more of my strengths. My goal was to work for my university while getting my masters to be an elementary school teacher. Going to take today finish some homework and then look for other jobs. I know I have learned a lot at my current job, but I’m ready for something else. I’m tired of fighting against anxiety. Would love your prayers that the Lord would open up the right job. He has taught me a lot this past year and a half. I have had to wrestle with if he is still good, even when my circumstances don’t change. I know he is, but it is hard in the waiting.
Thank You Jesus, for all You endured on our behalf! ❤️
That was supposed to be Thanks, Rhonda J!
What comfort we find in the resurrection promise! Thank You, Jesus, for breaking the hold of death on those who believe in You! We don’t have to fear death or what comes after. We know what to expect because Jesus has testified to it.
SEARCHING, GWENETH52, and RHONDA J – ❤. Thanks for sharing your happy memory, Gweneth52, and thanks for mentioning the Matt Maher song, Searching. We do a lot of his music at church. Thanks J, I agree and I love how some of the current artists are using those old hymns in their ‘new’ music!
KELLY NEO – what beautiful phrasing!
We can go first and We can go last. Isn’t that a mantra of parenting? I feel like I am always doing one or the other, never getting to experience the comfy middle. I had not thought of that before in terms of my walk with Jesus. Loves the devotional today. Have a wonderful Monday everyone!
Wow this hit ❤️
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” I feel like this sentence should end in an exclamation mark – and be followed by a loud AMEN!! We will be made alive after death! Just knowing that takes the sting out of death. We have all lost loved ones, and one day we will all die, but hallelujah — we will live again!! Praise God that “the resurrection was not an afterthought.” God had a plan all along, even before the beginning of time and creation. Thank you God for sending Jesus Christ not only to die for my sin, but also to be raised to life again – making it possible for all of us to anticipate our own resurrection!
Have a blessed Monday all my She’s sisters!
Amen
Thank you Jesus for being my Risen King…and changing everything.
Thank you Jesus for being my Rise.
“Resurrection gives us a right-now hope and a hope that goes beyond this life…” amen!
“Don’t worry I’ll go first.” When I read this I instantly began to cry. Those words are so powerful. So comforting. Thank you, Jesus!
“Don’t worry I’ll go first.”
Oh Jesus, my savior, friend of sinners, Thank You for being the first born of the dead! Thank you that because of your sacrifice, I will one day be with you in eternity.
The thought of death is definitely scary, but thank you Jesus that you will be waiting for us with arm wide open on the other side <3
Thank you all for praying for my mom's cousin Wendy. She is medically stable but has a long road of recovery ahead. She had a successful wrist surgery, but they think she might have a broken collarbone that will need surgery and she might be developing pneumonia. Please keep her and my mom who is helping her in your prayers.
I pray everyone has a blessed Monday!
Oh Jesus thank you for saving me from what I cannot save myself. You are my Lord and Savior! Amen
Amen
Thank you Jesus for going first for us! God is so good!
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Thank you Jesus for going first and saving me from my sins. ❤️
Thank you Jesus! ❤️
Thank You, Shepherd of my soul, for going before me into the valley of death, leading the way to the still waters on the other side.
He is risen!
He lives! I serve a risen Savior! He lives within my heart!
Thank you, CEE GEE, for reminding us of these timeless words from a beloved hymn written nearly 100 years ago. They are no less true today. It brought to mind a more recent hymn written by Bill Gaither, and a newer version that Matt Maher and others cowrote – Because He Lives (I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone, He holds the future, I heard mercy call my name).
Thank you, Lord, hallelujah!
AMY KNUTSON – welcome! I did the same several years ago, started with an older study, loved it and subscribed. An amazing community of sisters that love Jesus.
Praying for DOROTHY, TAYLOR, LYNNE FROM AL and others this morning.
Thank you Lord for going first
Amen❤️❤️