Tag Archives: vindication

Resurrection – am I bovvered?

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Why is Resurrection so important? Paul devotes a long chapter (58 verses) to the subject in his letter to the Corinthians (it is 1Corinthians 15, and today we read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20), and it begins to come clear. It sounds very much as if the news that has come back to him from that church has included some nervousness and uncertainty. Some of the members had died. Had they made some terrible mistake? Would these people miss out what had been promised?

Paul wants to calm them down, and takes the opportunity to explain a fundamental part of Christian faith. He starts by saying that he had passed on the Christian message as he had received it: Jesus died for our sins, as scripture had foretold, and had been raised from death to appear before witnesses. It was the way he was proved right in all he had said and done. It was the ultimate seal of approval.

But this isn’t only about proving Jesus right, important as that is. Paul adds v19 “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied”. Why try to live as a Christian if it is difficult and sometimes even dangerous? Why didn’t Paul settle somewhere comfortable and teach only people who wanted to hear him? Why the courage of missionaries, the persistence of those looking for justice, and the endurance of those who have accepted hardship and slander to serve? Why? Because Christian faith is not lived to make life easy. It is lived in gratitude and service to God with an eye on eternity, and a judgement on our stewardship after life is done.

The Resurrection of Jesus the “first fruits of those who have died” v20 is a promise of our future – a promise, even for the extremely elderly, of glorious things to come, with justice and mercy. There are lots of questions. Some are tackled in the rest of the chapter, and some remain unclear. Life in the Resurrection is going to be very different, and probably unimaginable. But the resurrection of Jesus, reported by witnesses and evidenced by the change in the disciples lives from despair to hope, is vital to our faith.

It vindicates what Jesus said and did – all that he was.

And it gives us hope of life in eternity, which underlies our life of service, and sometimes difficulty, now.

Is there an End?

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Where will it all end? – and will there be tears? The early followers of Jesus came to believe he was the promised coming King, the Messiah. He spoke of God’s Kingdom. When he met opposition and slander, they found his acceptance of suffering, and then of a criminal’s death, difficult. His resurrection, and the Old Testament prophecies (not least Isaiah’s Suffering Servant), helped them to see it all as part of God’s plan to save.

So the Christians met, worshipped, and wondered – Where would it all end? It is a question, not only for their times, but for ours. It has been echoed by many in times of war, persecution, and suffering. Destruction, death and disaster add weight to it. What can we hope for? What is the point? Political or economic insecurity adds to the doubt, but Christians ought to have some answers settled. As we remember the consequences of conflict elevated into war, what hope of peace, of justice?

Christians remember Jesus identification of John the Baptist as Elijah, and understand the “Day of the Lord” as the day Jesus returns with power for judgement. That day is mentioned in Matthew 24 and 25, at the Ascension, and in 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5, (and today we read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) among other places. The language is pictorial, the main theme clear: Jesus return brings to an end this time of uncertainty and conflict. God will rule, and his enemies be disarmed and judged.

In the Old Testament (we read an example in Zephaniah, but it starts with Amos, and is reflected in many prophets) a popular idea of the Day of the Lord – when “our God” would come to defeat “our enemies” – is turned round. Amos insists that God is not impressed by the unfaithfulness of his people, and the Day of his Coming would bring judgement on them, as well as on others. (so Zephaniah 1:12 “I will punish the people who are self-satisfied and confident, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD never does anything, one way or the other.'” ) By the time of Malachi, the last words of our Old Testament: “But before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes, I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country.” (Malachi 4:5-6)

When? We don’t know. 1Thessalonians 5:1,2 Suddenly and unexpectedly; but that is not to say we are unprepared. Paul speaks of a thief in the night. You don’t know when – but if you know he is coming, you can be ready. Valuables hidden or secure, doors firmly locked, people safe. We don’t know when, but we are to be ready. “We must wear faith and love as a breastplate, and our hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1Thessalonians 5:8

The Kingdom of God – his rule of justice and love, is something great, to be looked forward to and celebrated (at least by those who try already to live its life). The Day it comes and replaces all opposition is beyond our imagining, and unlikely to be uncontested. We need to be ready,