And I sought for a man among them that should make up THE HEDGE, and stand in the gap before Me for the land... Ezekiel 22:30

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Places to Go, People to see,

The first letter from Paul to the Corinthians (15:3-8)
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. "

Homily
Allow me a few thoughts from this second-hand travelogue of our Lord. One, integral in Paul's case that the physical resurrection of Christ is foundational in the gospel of Christianity is not only that the Scriptures attest that it would happen, but also that there are many, many eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ, himself least among them.
But also notice to whom He appeared. Peter ("Cephas") is listed first. The one who publicly denied knowing Him was privileged to have been personally restored to fellowship with his Lord. Over five hundred believers saw Jesus Christ at one event otherwise unrecorded in Scripture. But one that seems especially special to me is that Jesus was seen by James. It is understood that this James was the half-brother of Jesus. James is shown in the gospels to have not trusted his Brother as Messiah or Lord. Yet in Acts, James is listed in chapter one as among the believers, and later as a pastor over the congregation in Jerusalem. The change that took place in James is hinted here in the letter to the Corinthians. The reconciliation between the two brothers as one who is Savior and the other who is sinner is touching. Is it a case of "blood is thicker than water" as we say back home in Gravette? No, but here are the steps of faith in James and the glorious grace and love of God personified in His Son overcoming the most stubborn sibling rivalry. James repenting of his pride and hatred against his Brother. Jesus personally affirming forgiveness and restoration to His sibling.

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