But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. – 1 Corinthians 15:20.
The angels at the empty tomb of Jesus asked the women (Luke 24:5), “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” These words are also the angels’ words to us. Jesus is risen, and one day, so will we be raised from the dead: Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). He guarantees that God’s harvest of all people will one day occur. He is our assurance as believers and disciples that we, too, will be raised from death and death will no longer have a hold on us! We are God’s eternal children, and death cannot separate us from his presence or love (Romans 8:37-39).