My journaling calendar suggested I read 1 Corinthians 15 and 16 today. There is enough teaching and sharing material in these two chapters to make 2 weeks of blogs! So, I will pick and choose what I think you would most like to understand. Paul still is a grand preacher and teacher, even centuries after his words were spoken in Corinth. Paul said in 1 Cor. 15:3-8, "For what I received I passed on to you, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living. Then he appeared to James (Jesus brother from Mary and Joseph), then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also."
Study/ Most churches contain people who do not yet believe in the Godliness of Christ. Some are moving in the direction of belief and others are simply pretending. Imposters, however, are not to be removed for that is the Lord's work alone. The Good News about Jesus Christ will saves us "if" we firmly believe it and faithfully follow it.
There will always be people who say that Jesus was a good man but didn't rise from the dead, therefore, he was not God. Paul assures us that many people saw Jesus after his resurrection, as stated in the Scripture above. The resurrection is an historical fact. Don't be discouraged by doubters who deny the resurrection. Be filled with hope because of the knowledge that one day you, and they, will see the living proof when Christ returns.
Many have tried to give explanations for the empty tomb to prove that Jesus did not rise from the grave. One claim is: Jesus was only unconscious and later revived. The evidence against this claim is: A Roman soldier told Pilate that Jesus was dead in Mark 15:44,45. Also, in John 9:32-34, The Roman soldiers did not break Jesus' legs, because he had already died and one of them pierced Jesus' side with a spear. Also, in John 19:38-40, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus' body and placed it in the tomb.
A second claim is that the women made a mistake and went to the wrong tomb when they went to place herbs on the body. But in Matthew 27:59-61, Mark 15:47, and Luke 23:55 Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw Jesus placed at death in the same tomb. On Sunday a.m., Peter and John also went to the same tomb as the women in John 20:3-9.
A third claim is that unknown thieves or the disciples stole Jesus' body. There is also evidence against this claim as well. The tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers as told in Mt. 27:65,66. The disciples were ready to die for their faith. Stealing Jesus' body would have been admitting that their faith was meaningless.
A fourth claim is that the religious leaders stole Jesus' body to produce it later. If the religious leaders stole Jesus' body they would have produced it right away to stop the rumors of his resurrection.
(End notes on Study)
Jesus is God in human form! God is the miracle maker as He made Heaven and Earth and all the Solar System. He made humans to enjoy them. God does what He wants and what He needs to do. He desired to love humanity although all humans are imperfect and broken. It was His love for us that He came in human form and revealed Himself to us, as Jesus Christ. He can do as He pleases in the world, and he pleased Himself by becoming Himself on earth, then died and was resurrected as the son, who then returned to the Father and sits on His right hand. If not for Jesus death and resurrection, we would not have his Spirit who lives within those who believe in His life, His death and His resurrection.
How can we not agree with God's plan? Personally, I really like His plan and live in Him and He in me. I am so glad God made it possible for me to become more than I was. And I am so glad that I will still become more than I now am. Thank you, Lord God!
Are you with me?
Jo INMN
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