Witnesses to the Resurrection

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 (NIV)

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Devotion

            This scripture gives us a record of the people to whom the Lord Jesus Christ appeared after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. This record was written before any of the gospels were written making them our earliest witness to the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. Paul does not record the appearances to the women at the tomb recorded in the gospels.

            We can be courageous in our belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus because of Paul’s testimony here. There were so many people who saw him in the days following the resurrection it is almost impossible to doubt that this event actually took place. In fact, we have in these words assurance that our faith is built on a solid foundation. The resurrection really happened. Jesus is alive and currently sitting in the very throne room of God making intersession for us his bride the church of God.

            If the fact of the resurrection went to trial, we have so many eyewitnesses to it that it would be established as a fact in a court of law. Even Paul records that he himself is a witness to the risen Christ. The Damascus road meeting between Paul and the Risen Jesus changed his life forever. (See Acts 9.3) Just as Paul met Jesus so we must meet Jesus where we are today. We must be changed forever into faithful witnesses to our risen Lord.

            You see if the resurrection is a fact and it is, then we must respond to that fact with wholehearted obedience to God. A risen savior changes our outlook on the world. Death no longer reigns supreme. Its power broken by the resurrection. We are set free knowing that we should no longer fear death but accept that it is a defeated enemy that has no power over us. All those to whom Jesus appeared to in person after his death were changed forever. Even so, we must be changed into new creations. Let us pray for our transformation.

            Prayer

                        Lord God almighty, you are a God that loved us so much that you came to die and be raised from the dead on our behalf. We worship you today for your power and perfection. We ask that you meet with us today. Change our lives O Lord as you changed the lives of those believers who saw you raised from the grave so long ago, we pray you would change us. Help us to believe you and have a solid faith in you. In Jesus name we ask this. Amen.

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