Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
He appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (died). Then He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the Apostles and do not deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
– 1 Corinthians 15:5-11
Devotion
Now as another proof of the resurrection, Paul lists several witnesses. Witnesses are very important in establishing the truth of a matter. Even though this is not a complete list of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, Paul lists these as evidence of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Paul closes out this list with himself (See Acts 9). Paul did not consider himself worthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the followers of Jesus. Yet, because of God’s grace, Paul found himself in a position of great influence in the life of the early church. Paul’s humility here provides greater evidence that what he is proclaiming and teaching is true. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they heard and believed this “Good News-Gospel” that he preached. In his book, The Heart of the New Testament, H.I. Hester documents the twelve post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. This evidence is important because it gives credibility to the person and work of Christ. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we cannot believe anything He said.
The Big Question
Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead? How has this belief changed the way you live your life?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.