Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (NRSV)

Now 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, through 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.

For 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, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But 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. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

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Reflect

Paul plainly stated that Jesus died for our sins and that he was raised on the third day, which is important to our understanding of the Christian faith. In verses 13 and 14 in this same chapter Paul stated, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” The Resurrection is central to, and even required for, true faith in Jesus Christ.

When Jesus returned to God, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with his followers forever. As followers of Jesus, we receive power, grace, and love from God. God’s love is revealed in our Lord’s daily care for all people, through the grace that brings us to salvation, and by the Spirit who continually sets us apart for God’s service.

Let us celebrate the Resurrection and praise the Lord who makes us the children and siblings called for God’s purposes.

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Pray

We thank you, O God, for revealing to us the love and power that comes to us because our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Fill us with love, grace, and power so we might truly serve and glorify your holy name. Amen.

Go with God.