1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 15Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, Verse 2through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you-unless you have come to believe in vain. Verse 3For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, Verse 4and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, Verse 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Verse 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Verse 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Verse 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. Verse 9For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Verse 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them-though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Verse 11Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
Devotion
John felt pretty confident about his faith when he was at worship services, but could get really shaky and tongue-tied when his friends said things like, “You really believe that stuff about Jesus coming back from the dead?” “You really believe God is in this world, with so many bad things happening?” John didn’t know what to say and could even start questioning things himself.
1 Corinthians 15 can help us with these challenges to our faith. The church in Corinth shared John’s dilemma. Corinth was a major port city with lots of people and lots of beliefs. There was a Christian church in Corinth, but some denied Jesus’ resurrection.
Amid this tide of unbelief, Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians of the good news they received “in which you also stand.” When currents of unbelief are swirling around you, stand in the truth of your own story of faith!
And then Paul tells them our main story: Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul reminds us to “keep the main thing the main thing.” The resurrection is central!
Prayer
Risen Christ, help us to remember and to tell your story and how it has shaped our own. Amen.