What They Received, They Delivered! Now It’s Our Turn!

St Paul wrote, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, 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 at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!

How do we know? They saw Him! Who were “they”? Well, according to the Old Testament, every matter was to be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. So, in addition to the women who went to the tomb (as recorded in the Gospels), St Paul gives us a list of those witnesses.

The risen Jesus appeared to Cephas (that is, Simon Peter), and then to the Twelve, that is, the original disciples whom Jesus called during His earthly ministry. (Judas Iscariot was dead, and Thomas didn’t see Jesus until the week after Jesus’ resurrection.)

Then Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time. We’re not told when or where this happened, but since only two or three witnesses were “needed,” five hundred witnesses would be overwhelming! And if anyone had any doubts about it, Paul seems to be challenging his readers to go ask them because, at that time, most of them were still alive.

But there’s more. The risen Jesus also appeared to James, His half-brother (the son of Mary and Joseph), who later became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. James had initially refused to believe in Jesus, but this appearance seems to have changed all of that.

Then Jesus appeared to all the apostles. This would have been a larger group than the Twelve, including men like Barnabas. Finally, one more appearance is listed, one that took place after Jesus’ ascension into heaven: Jesus appeared to Saul, who was later known as Paul.

So, all these people saw Jesus, risen from the dead. That meant all of His words and promises were true, verified by God! And what they saw, what they had received, they delivered to everyone around them.

They delivered the news of the resurrection of Jesus to the Jewish authorities, and they found it offensive! To them, Jesus was a blasphemer, a heretic. They would not believe in Him, and when they could no longer persecute Jesus, they persecuted those who followed Him.

What did His disciples do about that? They continued to deliver Jesus! They delivered the news of the resurrection of Jesus to the Jewish people, and they found it disturbing! The news exposed the cold-blooded murder of the Messiah by those who had called for His crucifixion. But while some ignored them, some of them listened, and were disturbed in their consciences, and repented, and were baptized.

And what did His disciples do? They continued to deliver Jesus! They delivered the news of the resurrection of Jesus to the Gentiles, who considered it laughable. After all, no one rises from the dead! And yes, some dismissed them. But some of them listened, and believed, and they, too, repented of their foolishness, and were baptized.

And what are His disciples doing now? Well, now it’s our turn to deliver what we have received. Yes, people still find it offensive, and disturbing, and laughable. And the news of Jesus’ resurrection is still refused, and ignored, and dismissed.

But there are some who listen, and have their consciences disturbed. There are some who repent and believe, who hear the Word and are baptized. There are some who hold fast to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that promises the forgiveness of sins and the gift of everlasting life with God.

For their sake, it is up to us to continue in the faith, and to deliver as of first importance what we have received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, all so that we may have life, and have it abundantly and forever! Go forth, then, and deliver to others the good news about Jesus!