HE WAS SEEN
He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
1 Corinthians 15:4-8 (NLT)
This passage is from a letter the apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus who lived in the town of Corinth. Paul was affirming a foundational fact of our faith: that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day, fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture written hundreds of years earlier. It appears Paul recognized it was an outrageous claim to say that someone had been raised from the dead after being buried for three days. So he referred to key people who had seen Jesus alive after seeing him die. These people, including Paul, were eyewitnesses who were still alive at the time he wrote this letter. In other words, Paul was saying that if you don’t believe me, there are more than 500 people you can interview to hear eyewitness accounts that Jesus was alive after He died.
Many times, a criminal is convicted in court based on the eyewitness testimony of two or three people. If I didn’t see something for myself, I could be convinced of the reality of an event if someone I trust shares what they saw with their own eyes. Jesus was seen alive by more than 500 people whose lives were changed by what they saw.
Though we likely haven’t seen a physical appearance of Jesus, we can still see the evidence of His effect on the lives of people around us. My faith in Jesus grows stronger as I hear the ways people have experienced Jesus. Consider the ways Jesus has revealed Himself to you through His Word or through others.
APPLICATION: How have you seen or experienced the presence of Jesus? If you’re unsure, find someone you can ask that question.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for providing eyewitness evidence to the resurrection of Jesus. Help me notice how Jesus is working around me, or lead me to someone who can share their Jesus experience with me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?