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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 9, 2007 |
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Frontline Devotion for Friday, February 9, 2007 by Mike Martine
1 Corinthians 15:3-10 - For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit 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 towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Ah yes, science!
O.K., not science exactly, but isn’t there a bit of a feeling of a “proof” here?
“O.K., maybe you’re not sure you believe me, but listen, Jesus ALSO appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve (really eleven at that point), then he appeared to OVER FIVE HUNDRED brothers and sisters…”
It’s almost like Paul is saying, “Hey, if you don’t believe me, listen to this…”
I actually like this passage. It actually does give me comfort and assurance. Perhaps because I kind of like having my faith lifted up by some “evidence.”
But let me tell you of another resurrection experience that, for me at least, is no less important than the ones listed here by Paul.
Today, at the end of what, on the whole, has not been a great week, I held the hand of a woman going into minor surgery.
I stood ready to pray. We were actually laughing at this point because of something a nurse had requested (something that would require that I leave!). But still, even though we were laughing I was tired. I was a bit disillusioned. I was even wondering how much good I could be in this situation.
And then she said to me: “Please do pray—you’ve gotten me through so many things before…”
You see, she knows, and I know, that I didn’t “get” her through anything. She knows, and I know, that “I” am not a miracle worker. What she knows, and what I was reminded of today, is that the risen Christ shines through me (and through you) when we act in his name.
You see, Christ appeared today, resurrected, present in the world, in all of his glory—to a woman going into surgery, and to me.
Perhaps we could get our friend, Paul, to add this to his list.
Need proof? Take Christ at his word. Act for him. He’ll be there.
Peace.
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