What a strange morning…! Today we are reading, for me, the most energizing passage in all of Scripture. I hope it’s the same for you! But first… The 12-volt battery on our Camry Hybrid was dead – I’ve known that for about a month, but we hadn’t needed it. Today was the day to get it taken care of. So I went out to see if it would start, just maybe. The first thing that I saw was my left front tire, flat. Flat on the ground, wouldn’t even register on my gauge! Got my air compressor out, got that taken care of. But, no battery – had to jump start it with Rachel’s RAV. Done. Drove 20 minutes to Toyota, thank you Lord! And their power is out, all up and down the street! So we wait. Thankfully I’m connected on my mobile hotspot. What a morning!
But back to today’s reading… Yes, energizing!! Those first 20 verses…!! Multiple witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection…! First, “…in accordance with the Scriptures…” (twice mentioned, in verses 3 and 4); second, six persons/groups of witnesses, “…most of whom are still alive…” (v. 5-8); third, Paul’s reasoned arguments in I Cor. 15:12-19 – seven times using the word “if”; and finally, the capstone – “…we are of all people most to be pitied.” Folks, this section lights me up, like no other passage in all of Scripture!
One other intriguing item… Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthian church, a church that is enormously gifted but seriously beset with problems. And after spending time discussing these many problems, Paul writes to this group three of the most beloved passages in all of his letters (maybe in all of Scripture): the Eucharistic celebration in chapter 11, the “love” passage in chapter 13, and this resurrection passage in chapter 15. Very intriguing…!!
Read these verses again, folks, a second or third time. See if you are not energized…!!
See also: May 13 / I Cor. 15:1-19; May 14 / I Cor. 15:20-34