“Ain’t No Grave” 没有坟墓
Dexu Xia
If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:14
Even as country music legend Johnny Cash was approaching death, he was determined to keep making music. His final album, American VI: Ain’t No Grave, was recorded in the final months of his life. The title song, Cash’s version of a hymn by Claude Ely, gives insight into his final thoughts as we hear him sing of his hope of the resurrection. His famously deep voice, though weakened by his declining health, declares a powerful testimony of faith.
Johnny’s hope wasn’t simply in the fact that Jesus was resurrected on Easter Sunday morning; he believed that one day his own physical body would also be resurrected, and he’d rise again.
It’s an important truth to affirm because even in the days of the apostle Paul, people denied a future physical resurrection. Paul strongly critiqued their argument when he wrote, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).
Just as the grave couldn’t hold Jesus’ body, one day all those who have faith that He was resurrected “will be made alive” (v. 22). And in our resurrected bodies, we’ll enjoy all eternity with Him on a new earth. That’s reason to sing! By: Lisa M. Samra
What comfort does the hope of physical resurrection bring to you? How’s it an expression of faith?
Jesus, thank You for giving me the amazing hope of a future in heaven with You.
若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然！—哥林多前书15章14节
乡村音乐传奇人物强尼·凯许（Johnny Cash）在即将离世时，仍然怀抱对音乐的热情，坚持继续创作。他的最后一张专辑《美国系列6：没有坟墓》(American VI: Ain’t No Grave)，是他在人生的最后几个月所录制的，专辑的主题曲是翻唱克劳德·伊利（Claude Ely）所写的福音歌曲。这首歌让我们了解他在离世前的想法，他唱出了对复活的盼望。他那著名的低沉嗓音虽因健康状况恶化而略有逊色，但却宣告了一个强而有力的信仰见证。
强尼的盼望不仅限于相信耶稣在复活节清晨复活，他也坚信有一天自己的身体也会活过来，他也能从死里复活。
这是一个我们都要确信的重要真理，因为即使在使徒保罗的时代，也有人否认将来会有身体复活。保罗严厉指正他们的论点，他写道：“若没有死人复活的事，基督也就没有复活了。若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然！”（哥林多前书15章13-14节）
正如坟墓无法阻挡耶稣从死里复活一样，总有一天，所有相信耶稣复活的人也照样“都要复活”（22节）。在那新天新地里，你我将以复活的身体与上帝一起享受永恒。我们正是因此而歌唱！
作者： 夏莉珊
身体复活的盼望如何使你得安慰？
拥有这种盼望会有怎样的信心表现？