“And that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15:5 NIV
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul lists six wonderful reasons why we may believe with confidence that Jesus Christ is alive. These six reasons come from the six people or groups of people who saw Jesus alive again. Let us subpoena the Witnesses. In compassion Jesus made His first appearance to Simon. To the Apostles. If any person sees a dead man alive, it may be called an hallucination. But on Resurrection Sunday, ten men had the same wonderful hallucination at one time. The apostles saw what Simon saw. How did it affect them? It forged this frightened bunch back into men of courage. The twelve apostles were but “the Ten.” One of them, Judas, had hanged himself, and Thomas wasn’t present. Out of their minds with uncontrollable excitement, they went to Thomas and said, “Thomas, we have seen the Lord alive.” Thomas had only one response, “Unless I see for myself.” Thomas challenged the others: “I must see the nail prints and put my finger into them and thrust my hand into His side or I will not believe.” At the next Sabbath, came Jesus’ third appearance. Jesus stares at Thomas. Thomas stares back! Jesus says, “Thomas, come here. Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving but believing” (John 20:27). Thomas fell before Jesus and cried, “My Lord and my God!” Then there is the 500. Then James. James, the half-brother of Christ, who had gone with his family to try to stop Jesus from preaching.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, may we bear witness to the fact that you are ALIVE.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, through the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, may we with courage bear witness, as so many have done, that You are ALIVE. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Jeremiah 32:36-44
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