Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10
Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I imagine that in Paul’s day, if some pagan asked him, “Why are you still following that Jesus guy? Wasn’t he killed as a common criminal?” his response would be, “Because He didn’t stay dead!” The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without it, there wouldn’t be any Gospel to proclaim and there wouldn’t be any Christians, as Paul himself says in 1 Corinthians 15:14.
Jesus paid for the sins of the world with His innocent death on the Cross and then in glorious victory, triumphed over death and the grave by rising from the dead. This is the very heart of the Christian Gospel and Paul says this Gospel which Christians receive, and in which they stand, is also saving them.
1 Corinthians 15 is Paul’s great chapter on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. He starts off by stating he “delivered” what he “received.” This means that when he learned what God had done for the world in Jesus, he couldn’t keep it to himself. He had to make this news known. But it also means that he was passing on a tradition.
The opening words should sound similar to the Nicene Creed: “And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures.” Scholars believe verses 3-7 are an early Christian creed that Paul may have received and passed on to the Corinthians when he was their pastor. The phrase “in accordance with the Scriptures” is repeated, meaning, “Jesus died and rose again, just as it was foretold by the prophets.” He also goes on to provide a list of witnesses of the resurrection.
Jesus’ resurrection was not something just a few people claimed to have seen. It was not something “done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). Such a miraculous and world-changing event needed witnesses and as Paul explains, hundreds of people had seen the resurrected Christ. You have also received this Gospel and by it you are saved. Hold fast to the Good News that according to the Scriptures, Christ died and rose for you and for your salvation and by His grace, He has brought you to believe and will give you eternal life in His kingdom.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Christ, the Alpha and Omega, Christ, the firstborn from the dead, Christ, the life and resurrection, Christ, the Church’s glorious head: Praise and thanks and adoration And unending worship be To the Father and the Spirit And to You eternally. (“Christ, the Word of God Incarnate” LSB 540, st.6)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch