鄉村音樂傳奇人物強尼．凱許（Johnny Cash）在即將離世時，仍然懷抱對音樂的熱情，堅持繼續創作。他的最後一張專輯《美國系列6：沒有墳墓》(American VI: Ain’t No Grave)，是他在人生的最後幾個月所錄製的，專輯的主題曲是翻唱克勞德．伊利（Claude Ely）所寫的福音歌曲。這首歌讓我們瞭解他在離世前的想法，他唱出了對復活的盼望。他那著名的低沉嗓音雖因健康狀況惡化而略有遜色，但卻宣告了一個強而有力的信仰見證。

強尼的盼望不僅限於相信耶穌在復活節清晨復活，他也堅信有一天自己的身體也會活過來，他也能從死裡復活。

這是一個我們都要確信的重要真理，因為即使在使徒保羅的時代，也有人否認將來會有身體復活。保羅嚴厲指正他們的論點，他寫道：「若沒有死人復活的事，基督也就沒有復活了。若基督沒有復活，我們所傳的便是枉然，你們所信的也是枉然！」（哥林多前書15章13-14節）

正如墳墓無法阻擋耶穌從死裡復活一樣，總有一天，所有相信耶穌復活的人也照樣「都要復活」（22節）。在那新天新地裡，你我將以復活的身體與上帝一起享受永恆。我們正是因此而歌唱！

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!