1 Corinthians 15:1-14
Saturday, 30 March 2024
“…and that He rose again the third day….” -1Corinthians 15:4
In his book titled, ‘The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict’ Josh McDowell writes: “The truth of Christianity is based on the bodily resurrection of Christ.” The one act that had impacted the world so powerfully is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul who himself had an encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9) presents the proof to a powerful fact that Jesus Christ was resurrected. Paul provides the evidence of physical witnesses. The Bible proclaims the bodily resurrection of Christ and provides proof of the same by enlisting witnesses who saw Him.
The two women outside Jerusalem - Matthew 28:9-10
Mary Magdalene - John 20:15-18
Two travelers on the road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-32
In Acts 1:3 it says that “To these (the apostles-Acts 1:1) He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God.”
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historic fact and His resurrection was a bodily resurrection. Jesus Himself spoke to the disciples about His resurrection (Matthew 16:21). He presented Himself to them after resurrection! In John 20:26-29, when Jesus presented Himself to the disciples, He invited Thomas to touch Him. Jesus said thus to Thomas: “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (John 20:27). And Thomas did! His resurrection was a bodily resurrection as Jesus Himself pointed to the physical nature of His resurrection body (John 20:27) as evidence that He had risen from the dead.
Josh McDowell continues to state, “The empty tomb does not, by itself, prove the resurrection of Jesus any more than a body missing from a morgue proves that someone has been resurrected. The truth of Christianity is based on the bodily resurrection of Christ.”
Vain or Gain?
Paul starts this passage by encouraging the brothers to hold fast the gospel preached to them – which saved them. He says that their believing in the gospel was not in vain—because their faith is validated by the historic fact of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the latter part of the passage Paul says if Christ has not resurrected then preaching the gospel is empty and faith is empty. The power of the Gospel is that Jesus defeated and overcame death by rising on the third day! Paul also explains it clearly that since Christ has risen, all those who put their trust in Him will also be resurrected! That is the living hope of every believer in Jesus Christ.
If Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He is alive today, ready to invade and change those who invite Him into their lives. Thousands now living bear uniform testimony their lives have been revolutionized by Jesus Christ. He has transformed them as He has promised He would. – Paul E. Little]. The resurrection power of God that brought Christ Jesus back to life is able transforms the hearts of all those who believe in Him leading them to a new and purposeful life!
The Easter Sunday is celebrated every year, after the very first when Christ rose from the dead. His bodily resurrection is a historic fact witnessed by many and proven! Will you invite Him to your life?
Praise Point: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3 [NIV]
Listen: 'Resurrection Day'