Simply Summing It Up

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The good news according to Paul is not terribly complicated nor is it difficult to understand. He shares it with his readers in Corinth: “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…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). One thing to note here is that Paul is passing along what has been given to him. Faith is a gift he has received and one he is eager to share. Another thing to note is the role that scripture plays in Paul’s message. What Paul says about Jesus is a confirmation of the promise that God has made to past generations. None of this should come as a surprise to those who are familiar with Judaism. And finally, that which Paul says is of “first importance” to people of faith centers on the sacrificial (and very real) death of Jesus followed by his resurrection.

For Paul the spread of the gospel is based on the truth of what happened in and through Jesus and its foundation in the faith tradition of Israel. We should not allow centuries of theological wrangling to cloud this simple message: Jesus died; he was buried; he was raised again just like scripture said it would be. This is the “important stuff.”

We have celebrated the resurrection. Now we return to the work of sharing the gospel, and if we follow Paul’s lead we will do so with a reliance on the simple truth.

Prayer: Lord guide us as we seek to live the faith that we have been given. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Of Lasting Importance

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

As Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth draws near its close Paul underscores the source of his faith and the heart of the gospel: “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” (1Corinthians 15:3-8).

There is, of course, more than a few sermon’s worth of material contained in these verses. But I find it helpful to note that Paul marks this statement as “of first importance.” Paul is saying, in effect, “it begins here; this is what it is all about.” It is not enough to know the Christ died; we must also be aware that Christ died for our sins. It is not enough to know that Christ died for our sins; we must also know that he was raised from the dead. It is not enough to know that he was raised from the dead; we must also know that he appeared to his followers at various times. It is not enough to know any of this unless we also know that it happened “in accordance with the scriptures.”

For Paul the gospel is not an isolated event or a single statement of fact. It is a tapestry of threads drawn together in God’s grace and creating a new reality. Yes, Christ died, but that death which is the source of our redemption was also a prelude to the resurrection and the creation of the church. To single out any one aspect of God’s work in Christ is to overlook the fact that it all fits together. This is the message that Paul is sharing, the words “of first importance” for his readers-including you and me-to recall and claim as their own.

Prayer: Lord may we live each day mindful of the grace we have been given through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.