1 Corinthians 15:1–8 ‘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.’ (v6)
Paul’s first letter to those in Corinth (a city about fifty miles west of Athens) was written around AD 55, and many of those who had seen the resurrected Jesus were still alive to share their testimony.
The Christian faith was born in the time–space world that we occupy through a real person, Jesus Christ, and confirmed by eyewitnesses. This is one reason why the disciples were bold in their proclamation and, filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31), were ready to die for Jesus. These eyewitness accounts lay the basis for Jesus’ story which eventually became the Gospels. Initially, all Christian communities relied on the Jewish Scriptures, since only in the second century AD did the New Testament take shape.* In a time when Scripture is challenged, we must remind ourselves that the stories of Jesus are factual eyewitness accounts and not mere fiction. They deserve to be treated with respect, their contents closely considered.
One reason is to encourage people to engage with Scripture and explore what these revered ancient, yet relevant, texts can offer to us as we seek to find God and live in vastly different cultures. God’s Word endures as generations rise and fall. The fact of the resurrection means that Christ will never die again. Therefore, anyone may encounter the living God today. Not a physical meeting, but certainly one that convicts us of our need for God and convinces us to live God’s way in God’s world.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Psa. 12; 19:7–13; 2 Tim. 2:1–19; 3:10–17.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, help me to witness to Your grace and goodness every day. Amen.’
