Today’s Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures 5 and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of who are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles 8 and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Today’s Key Verse:
1. If you were telling someone the gospel of Jesus, what key elements would you mention? (vv.3-4).
2. How many people saw the resurrected Christ? (vv.5-8). Name them.
3. Why is there this emphasis on the appearances of Jesus? How does this prove His resurrection?
Today’s Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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.
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Empty Proof
Inthe days after the French Revolution, a man tried to start a new religion. But he was disappointed at his lack of success. He revealed his frustration to a church leader and asked for some advice.
The church leader replied that it was no easy task to start a religion. He had nothing to suggest. But after a moment’s reflection, he said, “There’s one plan that
you might want to consider. Why don’t you get yourself crucified and rise again the third day?”
The firm foundation of the Christian faith is an empty tomb. The New Testament states that the death of Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. But how can anyone know for sure that Christ’s crucifixion was acceptable to God? It doesn’t matter much what we think of the death of Jesus; what matters is what God thinks about it.
God’s approval of Christ’s sacrifice is proven by Jesus coming back to life. It is God’s signed receipt that He is completely satisfied. Full payment has been made and the judgement removed! Without the resurrection, there is no certainty. But the fact that Christ died and then rose again “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
—Haddon Robinson
When Jesus Christ was crucified, He paid sin’s penalty; His rising from the grave revealed His death [was enough]. —Sper
Christ’s resurrection confirms that Christ’s death was enough.
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Day 8 Knowing Christ
