We live by faith and “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). But because many of the things we believe are unseen by us does not mean that the same things were never seen by anyone. Our believing rests on the solid ground of those who heard, saw, and touched with their hands the word of life (1 John 1:1).

Paul told the Corinthians, “For I delivered to you what I also received,” followed by three successive components. First, “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” Second, “that he was buried.” And third, “that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” There is no hidden message in this text, no deeper meaning.

Christ died, His body and soul were separated. He was buried, His body laid in the tomb. And He was raised again on Sunday. This does not mean that His Spirit rose in the heart of His disciples. It doesn’t mean that His fame rose throughout the nation. It means that His body and soul were reunited. It happened on the third day, the sort of detail that puts the resurrexit in space and time.

We believe the gospel and we live because He lives. As John wrote, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). Our communion with Him is as real as His living, as real as the bread and the cup that remind us of the gospel. Let us eat, drink, and be merry as if it is real, because it is.