Daily Devotion for Lent 2021 - Day 26

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15

We have lots of ways that we tell
about the Resurrection.

Paul moves into his theology of the Resurrection in this chapter and we see the earliest known writings about the risen Christ.  He recounts the resurrection stories in verses 3-7, giving scant details.  He merely references the post-crucifixion appearances that must have been expounded upon when he was with them last.  

We have more than one story in the Gospels of Jesus' appearance to Peter (Cephas) and the twelve.  We also have multiple accounts in the Book of Acts of Paul's encounter with the risen Lord as well as from his own words in Galatians.  The appearance to the 500+ is unknown although some scholars have postulated that this may be the story of Pentecost where 3000 people were baptized.  

We don't have any stories about his appearance to his brother James and this would be helpful as James seems to have become the head of the church in Jerusalem.  The earliest stories of Jesus' family have them trying to rein him in as seen in Mark 3:19b-21:

Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.  When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”

A few verses later, we have this encounter in 31-35:

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him.  A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.”  And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” 

Neither of these stories would be seen as favorable to any of Jesus' biological family as heirs to Christian leadership.  If Mark was indeed a disciple of Paul's, it may be that these accounts would solidify the authority of those outside his genetic brothers.  It is not that he would have made them up - anyone with a family would have stories of conflict among the family - and these are not terrible and would not prevent James from leadership.  But there may have also been favorable stories between Jesus and James that didn't get written into the gospels.

The fact that we have these accounts about James and then see his own rise to authority in the church allow us to further understand the power of the resurrection.  

As you think about your own family, are there your own stories of conflict among siblings or others?  Can we put on imperishability and offer grace?

As Paul writes, "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Prayer for the day:

Gracious God, we read Paul's words about the resurrection and the life to come and we may have more questions than answers.  Help us to trust in you.  May we be steadfast and immovable.  Let us always excel in the work of the Lord and see that our labor is not in vain.  We pray these things in the risen Christ.  Amen.

Photo by James_Seattle via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.