Quick Charge Your Faith - Have Mercy
Mercy is more than an act; it is a force stronger than death.
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)
The strength of the resurrection
Paul once described Jesus’ resurrection as "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). It's an agricultural metaphor that simply means this: Jesus' resurrection was just the beginning. Just like the first apple of the season tells you many more apples are coming soon, Jesus rising from the grave means death isn't the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter in our story.
The Christian faith doesn't just believe that resurrection is possible. We believe that it's guaranteed to happen, sooner or later—for all of us. For better or worse, God is going to give us a second act after our time here on this earth is finished.
But if we really stop and think about what that means literally, resurrection might not sound like good news to everyone. Imagine spending eternity exactly the way you are right now, with all your fears, faults and problems. For someone struggling with illness, addiction, resentment, or anger - eternity unchanged wouldn't seem like much of a gift. It might seem a lot like hell (pun intended).
That is why Paul encourages us to embrace the mercy that Jesus offers: forgiveness, redemption, and a new life in Him. Resurrection in Christ promises that our second chapter will be the best part of our story. It’s mercy-filled grace.
There’s another misunderstanding we sometimes carry about resurrection. Because Christians believe they have a higher calling, we can mistakenly think it’s our duty to live apart from or even control those who are misguided and lost. But the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus show us something very different.
Instead of avoiding or controlling, Jesus went among them. He sacrificed for those who were lost and when they walked away, he still loved them. The resurrection gives us a powerful reason to reach out with compassion, patience, and the gospel of hope - even when it’s painful. That’s mercy-filled strength.
That’s the death defeating kind of mercy that was affirmed on Easter morning. When God rolled away the stone and Jesus stepped out of that grave, he proved once and for all that mercy isn’t weakness. Mercy is strength. Mercy is more than an act; it is a force stronger than death.
That leaves us with a challenging question today: What stops you and me from showing mercy like Jesus did? Often, if we’re honest, it's fear. We’re afraid of getting hurt, being exploited, or losing something important. But Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that ultimately, the most precious thing we have is the one thing that we can never lose - eternity with Him.
The mercy that flowed from the empty tomb two thousand years ago still flows toward us today. It’s an invitation to live courageously, compassionately, and without fear. Resurrection life isn’t just something that happens later—it's something we can experience right now. Let that mercy fill your heart today.
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