Resurrection, Part 1

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

In 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul teaches intensively on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is significant that Paul begins not with a treatise on the reality of the resurrection (how it happened and why you should believe) but with a personal testimony of the resurrection’s transformative power. Paul says, “I am a changed man because I met the risen Lord Jesus.” He says, “Jesus died for our sins; he was buried; he was raised after three days (according to the Scriptures!); he then appeared to the Twelve disciples, then to a larger group of his other followers. Finally he appeared to me.” Paul adds that he is “as one abnormally born” and “the least of the apostles”, having received the revelation of Jesus Christ later than everyone else. Rather than feel disenfranchised by this, however, Paul is overjoyed. Why? Because even though he didn’t meet Jesus during the Savior’s life on earth, he still got to meet the Savior. Better late than never. And it could have been never. Paul had been an enemy of Jesus and a persecutor of the church. He didn’t deserve to be counted among Jesus’ friends. But Jesus came back for Paul, revealed himself as risen Lord, and saved his life. Paul testifies to the power of the resurrection at work in his own life – “I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see!”

Paul includes his listeners – then and now – among those “abnormally born.” We didn’t meet Jesus face-to-face. But we have received the Good News of the resurrection. We have been included as recipients of all the benefits thereof. Our sins died with Jesus. With Jesus we are raised to new life. By the grace of God we have a share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.